The city of Mae Sot, Thailand, has long served as a refuge for Myanmar nationals fleeing conflict and a primary trade corridor between Myanmar and Thailand.
Its proximity to the city of Myawaddy, Myanmar, makes it a critical crossing point for displaced persons and labour migrants, many of whom arrive with limited resources and support networks.
Cities Alliance, in collaboration with BEAM Education Foundation and its partners, has launched the Supporting Community Efforts for Displaced Persons in Mae Sot City project to foster social and economic inclusion for displaced persons and marginalised host communities.
This pilot initiative emphasises collaboration between civil society and local authorities to address immediate and long-term challenges, including mental health, education, skills development, and public service delivery.
Community-driven solutions are essential for filling gaps in public services and integrating displaced populations into Mae Sot City’s social and economic fabric.
The project will serve as a model for urban displacement contexts, generating insights and recommendations for scaling in other Thailand-Myanmar border cities.
It is part of the Urban Mekong Corridor Initiative (UMCI) funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) through the Resilient Systems of Secondary Cities and Migration Dynamics Programme.
