Sending Help to Hurting People: FBR Supply

16 October 2025

Burma, the Middle East, Ukraine, and anywhere else FBR goes

“Every day I am sending help to my people,” said Poe Du, a Ranger who works in our supply department. “As I am packing bags to send, I think this shirt will go to my people, this food will go to an IDP, this medicine will go to a medic, this backpack will go to a Ranger. This is what inspires me to work hard every day, never surrender.” The work of the Free Burma Rangers involves striving to save lives on the frontline, encouragig families who have lost their homes or livelihoods, and working to shine a light on injustice. But without the FBR Supply Department many of these activities would slow or not be possible at all.

Johanna, FBR’s supply department head, says the department’s mission is, “to bring help, hope, and love to the people of Burma by providing food, clothing, medical supplies, temporary shelter, and other essentials for life and mission in the jungle.” In pursuit of this mission, FBR Supply sent 86,905 pounds of supplies to support hundreds of missions in 19 regions across six countries in 2024. The team is well on its way to exceeding those numbers in 2025. It’s an amazing feat when you realize that the bulk of the work of procuring, organizing, packing, and supervising transport is done by a team of just three people.

Sai Nong, a Ranger of Shan descent, is the longest-running member of the supply team, having been there for eight years. He has a knack for tracking down hard-to-find supplies. Many Rangers and staff at FBR have stories of Sai Nong going out of his way to solve a problem for them and then quietly returning to whatever he was doing, no thanks or recognition required. Sai Nong contributes a lot to the FBR mission, but he is not the only one in his family who helps out. Nang Moe, his wife, also has a role. If you have ever seen or worn one of our standard green FBR shirts, you have experienced her diligent work. After Sai Nong joined the supply team, Nang Moe decided to take on the the job of printing the FBR t-shirts.

When Sai Nong was asked what motivates him to keep working hard, he laughed and said, “My job is easy, if we do not have enough money to buy supplies no job for me, no problem.”

Sai Nong’s joke illustrates a very real difficulty of FBR supply. When talking about an average week, Johanna said, “We wait every month to see what will come in financially and then prioritize what is needed most. Today I’m just waiting on money to come in; unfortunately for the guys in Burma they may have a need but we can’t fill it.”

The next longest-serving member of the supply department is Poe Du. Son of the co-founder of FBR, Eliya, Poe Du has FBR in his blood. He knows the operations of FBR intimately and can fill multiple roles on any team. He is also a talented musician and has a warm, easy-going personality, easy to approach and quick to smile. Poe Du remembers one mission he went on when he carefully packed his bags, making sure he had all the best equipment. He packed sturdy shoes, a hiking backpack with a strong frame, a bright headlamp, a quality knife, and all the other essentials for a successful mission. He said that when he got back from the mission, all he had left were his clothes in a rice sack and the sandals on his feet. His gear didn’t break or wear out; he gave it all away. “When you are there, you see how much they need everything, and so for me it’s easy to give my gear away. They need it more than me.”

The newest member of the team is also the department head, Johanna. A former drill sergeant and 14-year U.S. Army veteran, Johanna is a tough lady and hard worker. She has taken the unenviable job of organizing and coordinating supply chains for almost 200 Ranger teams across countries and continents and made it run so smooth you forget what a huge job it is. She is also a mom of two energetic girls and deeply involved in the community. It’s rare to be at an FBR Bible study or social event and see Johanna without someone else’s baby in her hands. When asked what motivates her, she said, “I love doing things for other people. It fills my cup to be able to do something pivotal in their life and the amazing work they’re doing.”

When asked what the team would want to communicate, Poe Du said:

“I want to thank the donors. You help save many lives, and you are a part of freedom for Burma.”

Johanna added, “Please consider donating, you’re not giving to us, you’re giving to oppressed people fighting for their freedom and survival. We are really comfortable in the West so I would ask you to consider giving some of that up to help. It’s ok to be uncomfortable because that is where God grows and changes you. You often don’t grow if you’re not uncomfortable.”

We are very thankful for our supply department, for their diligence, care, and all the stuff they move to help us move. Thank you for helping us honor the huge behind-the-scenes contribution they make to everything we do.

Thanks and God bless you,

The Free Burma Rangers