"As a country that has prioritised military expenditure over welfare provision for its people during the past four decades, Burma has succumbed to an acute economic and social crisis. The ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) continues to spend over 40% of the national budget on the military, while International Monetary Fund (IMF) figures estimate that under one percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) is spent on health and education combined.1Consequently, the people of Burma are systematically denied their basic economic and social rights, whether it is access to employment, healthcare, education, livelihood, or other fundamental needs..."