Refugees

Following a statement issued by the Karen Women Organization calling for Burma government and international community to respect the right of refugees on World Refugees’ Day, representatives of the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees met with Karen community based organization on June 23, to discuss repatriation issues. The meeting’s included presentation of the UNHCR’s roadmap on refugee repatriation and…

In an exclusive interview with Karen News, the International Non-Government Organisation, PU-AMI, outlined its plans to protect refugees on the Thai Burma border against outbreaks of the Dengue virus. PU-AMI, together with Thai health officials, community based groups and other international aid agencies, have put together a public health campaign to try to prevent dengue and to increase awareness among…

The coming wet season and the threat of a dengue virus outbreak have made Thomas Viger a busy man. As Thailand program coordinator for Solidarites International he is also responsible for organizing the hygiene, water, sanitation and livelihood program at Mae La Refugee Camp on the Thai Burma border. Mae La is located 60kms north of the Thai border town…

Health professionals on the Thai Burma border are preparing themselves for dengue fever outbreaks in the region. It is predicted that 2015 has the potential to be a high-risk year. Chris Clifford, chair of the Mae Sot INGO working group that coordinates cross-sector responses told Karen News that, “it is important that at this time we promote community awareness –…

Refugee camp officials on the Thai Burma border are concerned that a funding shortfall may result in further ration cuts. The officials said that they are now holding discussions with donor organizations to try to manage the basic food rations provided to the refugees. The camp officials pointed out that a funding shortfall for the year may cause further reductions…

Residents of Mae La Refugee Camp suffering from water shortages were relieved when heavy rain drenched the region this week. This year’s dry season has caused Mae La refugees’ additional hardship as their water sources dried out and camp residents faced severe water shortages during April and May. Camp officials told Karen News that this year was the worst drought…

Media reports estimate that the Indonesian navy and fishing boats rescued as many as 1,000 asylum seekers off its coast near Aceh, on Friday 15th May. An Indonesian military spokesperson, Major General Fuad Basya, said in a interview with the ABC, Australian’s national broadcaster, that the 200 asylum seekers rescued by the Indonesian’s navy were spotted earlier that morning by…

The United Nations High Commission on Refugees released a media statement on Thursday 13 May, voicing its concerns about the alleged treatment of Rohinhyan refugees by both the Malaysian and Indonesian governments this week. The UNHCR said it was “extremely alarmed at reports suggesting that Indonesia and Malaysia may have pushed back boats carrying vulnerable people from Myanmar and Bangladesh.”…

The Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) released a report today, 11 May that documents the results of interviews held with Kokang villagers taking refuge in neighboring China. The Shan Human Rights Foundation report that the refugees “remain fearful of return, due to killing, beheading and disappearance of villagers caught returning home.” The Shan Human Rights Foundation said that there are…

A paper released last week by Burma Link and Burma Partnership claims the voices of refugees are ignored in Burma’s reforms. The joint paper, Voices of Refugees – Situation of Burma’s Refugees Along the Thailand-Burma Border, urges all the organisations responsible for refugees welfare to include them in the “planning and preparedness of their eventual return” to Burma. The joint…