Sithu Pe Thein

Dr. Sithu Pe Thein joined the AHA Centre in July 2021 as the Centre’s Director of Operations.

Dr. Sithu received his medical degree (MBBS) from the Institute of Medicine 1, Yangon in July 2000. His post-graduate work includes diplomas in business and development, as well as a Masters Degree in Social Work. He is certified EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapist for the treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) as well as a President of a EMDR Myanmar Association.

Dr. Sithu is also a Fulbright Alumni, the University of Hong Kong Alumni, East-West Center Alumni, Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) Alumni as well as a member of Myanmar Medical Association.

Before joining to AHA Centre, Dr. Sithu worked in many positions including as Liaison Officer/Head of Naypyitaw Office of the World Bank; Assistant Director and Head of the Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance Division of the ASEAN Secretariat, and; Senior Humanitarian Affairs Specialist in UNOCHA Myanmar. He has also been extensively involved in local and regional responses to various natural disasters, ethnic conflicts in Kachin State (2011), the communal conflict in Rakhine State (2012), and also flood relief efforts in 2015. He has worked intensively with government agencies, local NGOs, international organisations and donor agencies, as well as provided training in humanitarian civil-military coordination on behalf of UNOCHA in the Asia Pacific Region.

Dr. Sithu’s research interests include civil-military coordination, disaster management, children’s issues and psychological trauma. He has conducted research into the civil-military coordination during HADR operation and its applicability to ASEAN countries, children’s poverty, community-based child protection systems, assessment of the psychological status of children in Monastic Schools, and challenges to girls’ education. His policy research includes a study of the anti-trafficking system in Myanmar, and a capacity needs assessment of civil society organizations conducting disaster relief in Myanmar.