Myanmar refugees in Thailand
Briefing Notes, 23 May 2006
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 23 May 2006, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Over the last three months, there has been an influx into Thailand of some 2,000 refugees from Myanmar who say they are fleeing renewed conflict and human rights abuses in Kayin state. Some 400 crossed the border last week and more are expected. The refugees have been arriving at government-run camps, mainly in the Mae Hong Son area in northern Thailand.
The predominantly ethnic Karen refugees say their houses and villages have been burned and civilians killed. Many are very weak and suffering from illnesses such as malaria after a long, dangerous journey to the camps through heavily land-mined areas. Some also report that they had difficulties crossing the Thai border due to strengthened border controls.
UNHCR is expecting more refugees to seek safety in Thailand in the coming weeks. Many of the refugees passed through the "Eh Htu Hta" camp for internally displaced people, IDPs, just on the other side of the border in Myanmar. There, they say, hundreds more displaced Karen villagers are living in desperate conditions. The IDPs are reportedly waiting to see whether conditions in their home areas improve so that they can return. Otherwise, they may try to cross the border into Thailand if the situation deteriorates.
UNHCR is working with the Thai government and non-governmental organisations to ensure that the new arrivals are admitted to the camps and are provided with adequate shelter and protection. Shelter has been a major concern as the capacity in some refugee camps has been overwhelmed. In some camps, refugees have been forced to live in makeshift shelters made of plastic sheeting which can't withstand the heavy rains that affect the area. In a breakthrough last week, the Thai authorities agreed that proper houses will be built to accommodate the new arrivals.
There are currently 140,000 Myanmar refugees living in nine border camps in Thailand, many of them have been there for up to 20 years.
UNHCR Relief Items Pour into Myanmar
With eight relief flights and an earlier truck convoy from nearby Thailand, UNHCR had by June 6, 2008 moved 430 tonnes of shelter and basic household supplies into Myanmar to help as many as 130,000 victims of Cyclone Nargis. The aid includes plastic sheeting, plastic rolls, mosquito nets, blankets and kitchen sets. Once the aid arrives in the country it is quickly distributed.
On the outskirts of the city of Yangon – which was also hit by the cyclone – and in the Irrawady delta, some families have been erecting temporary shelters made out of palm leaf thatching. But they desperately need plastic sheeting to keep out the monsoon rains.
Posted on 12 June 2008
UNHCR Relief Items Pour into Myanmar
Myanmar Cyclone Victims Still Need Aid
With eight relief flights and an earlier truck convoy from nearby Thailand, UNHCR had by June 6, 2008 moved 430 tonnes of shelter and basic household supplies into Myanmar to help as many as 130,000 victims of Cyclone Nargis. The aid includes plastic sheeting, plastic rolls, mosquito nets, blankets and kitchen sets. Once the aid arrives in the country it is quickly distributed.
On the outskirts of the city of Yangon – which was also hit by the cyclone – and in the Irrawady delta, some families have been erecting temporary shelters made out of palm leaf thatching. But they desperately need plastic sheeting to keep out the monsoon rains.
Posted on 12 June 2008
Myanmar Cyclone Victims Still Need Aid
Cyclone Devastation in Myanmar
On 2/3 May, Cyclone Nargis devastated Myanmar, killing thousands of people and leaving more than 1 million homeless. As a rapid initial response to the crisis, the UNHCR office in Yangon purchased US$50,000 of plastic sheeting and canned food for distribution to cyclone victims.
Since then, the UN refugee agency – in the first overland convoy of aid – trucked in 22 tonnes of tents and plastic sheets from stocks in north-western Thailand. In addition, more than 100 tonnes of plastic tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets and mosquito nets are being airlifted in from UNHCR's regional stockpile in Dubai.
Although the UNHCR is not usually involved in natural disaster relief operations, it has responded to the cyclone crisis because of the scale of the devastation, the urgent needs of the victims, and the proximity of its emergency relief supplies to Myanmar.
Posted on 15 May 2008
Cyclone Devastation in Myanmar
Aid To Myanmar Cyclone Victims
UNHCR has sent in almost 120 tonnes of aid to help more than 10,000 victims in Myanmar of Cyclone Nargis.
Through ninemillion.org Paw Wah, a young refugee living in a refugee camp in Thailand is able to share with you a glimps of her life. To learn more about the ninemillion.org campaign visit the website.
Big Business Helps Refugees
Decision-makers of four high powered international corporations came together in a refugee camp in Thailand, looking for innovative ways to assist refugees.
| 
| 
| 
