Refugees from Burma living in a camp located along the Thailand-Burma border, 99 miles (160 km) south of Karenni State’s Mese Township, told DVB that they are struggling to meet basic needs with healthcare now their most urgent priority since all U.S. funding ended on July 31. Some of the 9,700 refugees here are optimistic after Thailand announced that 80,000 refugees from the camps could apply for work permits.
However many refugees from Burma fear that implementation by the Thai government in Bangkok may be slow and that there may not be jobs available near the camp in Maehongson Province, located in northwestern Thailand. “Healthcare is now our biggest concern. If something happens, it can cost us thousands of [Thai] baht. So how can we afford to pay,” said Sae Meh, a 39-year-old mother of three and refugee from Burma.
On July 31, The Border Consortium (TBC), a Thailand-based non-governmental organization that supports an estimated 107,000 refugees from Burma living in nine camps along the Thai border, terminated most food assistance with only those classified as “most vulnerable” and “vulnerable” to continue receiving “limited in-kind food assistance,” according to the TBC.
