Sunshine Care Centre, based in the Thai town of Mae Sot, cares for severely injured resistance fighters smuggled across the border from Myanmar. Funded by NGOs and donations, Sunshine Care centre has assisted more than 800 wounded fighters and is largely staffed by volunteers.
Myanmar's Mounting Casualties
Ali MC | Myanmar/ Thailand
Photographer: Ali MC
Exhibit Title: Myanmar's Mounting Casualties
Location: Myanmar/ Thailand
Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) reports that Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict is the third deadliest globally in 2024, reporting more than 50 000 deaths since a 2021 coup saw the military junta take power.
A myriad of armed resistance groups now operate across the country to overthrown the junta, in fighting which has reached almost every township across the country.
Sunshine Care Centre is a recovery house in the Thai border town of Mae Sot, where injured resistance fighters are smuggled across to coalesce.
Fighters have been injured by RPG rounds, burns from airstrikes, head wounds from sniper bullets and antipersonnel landmines.
Despite being globally banned under the 1997 international Mine Ban Treaty, Myanmar – not signatory to the treaty - is one of four countries actively using antipersonnel mines, along with Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Many fighters convalescing in Sunshine Care Centre have been injured by landmines, resulting in amputations.
Funded predominantly by NGOs and Myanmar diaspora donations, Sunshine Care Centre is staffed primarily by young volunteers, most of whom have also fled Myanmar and are unable to return.
A former touring musician and producer, Ali MC is a photographer, writer and lecturer in Indigenous Studies, Law and Criminology.
He is also a regular contributor to Al Jazeera and the Indigenous-owned newspaper the Koori Mail.
Recent projects include street photography in Iran, heroin use and homelessness in Australia, and the criminal gangs in Aotearoa/ New Zealand.
Ali has also worked extensively with Indigenous communities in Australia, including in remote community media and Aboriginal Legal Services.
His portrait of Indigenous singer Archie Roach was selected in the 2021 national Bowness prize and a portrait of Uncle Jack Charles shortlisted in the 2022 Australian Photography Awards.
A collection of his protest photography was also recently acquired by the State Library of Victoria.
Working predominantly in analogue film, Ali's work is grounded in research and academic study, holding a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in History and a Masters in Human Rights Law.
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