Resting on the Thai-Myanmar border is the ninemillion.org (a UN Refugee agency campaign) assisted Mae La refugee camp, the largest of nine refugee camps that dot the region. Once started as a temporary sanctuary from violence, the camp has since evolved into a permanent home for over 45,000 refugees.
In early April, four employees from the Nike Thailand and Hong Kong offices visited the camp as part of Nike’s partnership with ninemillion.org and the Mae La resettlement program. One of the Nike Corporate Responsibility team’s goals is to bring sport to kids who otherwise would not have access. For the Nike Thailand team, bringing a sports center and sport product to the Mae La Camp is a top priority.
The Nike team toured the camp, spoke with volunteers and refugees, and stopped by a football (soccer) match between kids living at Mae La.
“When refugees are resettled, the education and sport they receive at the camp will help position them for a more successful transition once they leave,” said Suzanne Anderson, the GM of Nike Thailand. “We are trying to make sure everyone is equipped for relocation. Visiting with people at the camps really breaks your heart, but I hope that the work Nike and ninemillion.org do will help them realize their dream and leave the camp for a better life.”
Nike plans to continue its involvement with the Thai-Myanmar border refugee camps, exploring options to possibly build semi-permanent community sports centers, support local vocational schools to ramp up English education, and increase the presence of ninemillion.org sports programming.
Since it launched in 2005, the resettlement program has placed over 9,000 refugees in Canada, Australia and the US. It is anticipated that another 10,000 will leave this year alone. Nike has participated in this effort as an active partner of UNHCR’s Local Council of Business Leaders.
In a 2007 tour through refugee camps in the region, Hannah Jones, Nike VP Corporate Responsibility said, “What’s really exciting is that during my trip I could see the difference that Nike’s work with ninemillion.org is making! Sport was alive and kicking.”
Nike has partnered with UNHCR in numerous aid projects since 2003 and was a founding partner of ninemillion.org. Through the ninemillion.org campaign UNHCR has distributed Nike apparel, product and equipment to refugee youth throughout the world.
Learn more about ninemillion.org