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 –…
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The Unity Committee for Karen armed groups held a special meeting to discuss the management of the tollgates on the Myawaddy-Kawkareik section of the Asia highway in Karen State. Currently the gates are run by different Karen armed groups that has caused difficulties for travelers and traders who need to use the road on a regular basis. The meeting took…
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Villagers in Karen State have lodged a protest to their local land registration office against applications by companies and investors to take community land for development projects. The villagers from Minekan, Hpa-an Township, submitted an letter to the township land registration office on May 27 protesting that applications for permits to grow long-term crops in unclaimed forest land was owned…
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On Tuesday, the Burma government handed down a two year jail sentence to writer, Htin Lin Oo for criticizing religious extremism in a speech. The Burma Campaign UK in a media statement, urged the British “Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond to pressure the Burmese government to ensure the immediate unconditional release of Htin Lin Oo and the remaining political prisoners in…
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A Karen woman’s groups is running training for community-based-organisation to help them understand and identify the different and often conflicting elements in Burma’s ceasefire process. Naw Suzanna Hla Hla Soe, a director of the Karen Women Empowerment Group (KWEG) told Karen News that topics covered in the training were understanding armed conflict, violence resulting from the conflicts and identifying different…
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A senior member of the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team explained to Karen News that the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and Restoration Council of Shan Sate/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) will not attend a conference to discuss the nationwide ceasefire draft documents. Padoh Kwe Htoo Win, a senior member of the NCCT told Karen News that the “conference is about informing…
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A senior Thai Health Ministry official said that from May 2015, government health insurance packages are available to buy for every registered migrant worker and their dependents. Dr. Poonlarp Chantavichitwong, Chief of Tak Public Health Officer from Tak Public Health Office, told local reporters after a joint health conference held in Mae Sot with the Karen State Health Department of…
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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…
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Frontline humanitarian organization, the Free Burma Ranger report that the Burma Airforce continues to bombard Kachin Independent Army positions using jet fighters. The Free Burma Rangers said in a statement released this week that the Burma military has focused its attacks around Nam Lim Pa village. “On the 18th and 19th of May alone clashes continued for many hours and…
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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…
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