There are hundreds of thousands of Burmese refugees in Thailand who have been persecuted and forced from their villages by the repressive military regime in Burma. Many have been killed trying to flee over the border into Thailand. Those who have made it are living in extreme difficulties. A minority live in recognised camps, leaving the rest to struggle as best they can.
Last September many thousands of people in Burma demonstrated against the government’s regime. The government was quick to clamp down on the demonstrators, who included monks and ordinary citizens. Many of the demonstrators were arrested, and many fled into neighbouring countries. As ever, the media has moved on, but the situation in Burma remains unchanged.
Refugees around the border town of Mae Sot
Mae Sot is the border town where most Burmese refugees enter Thailand, across a dangerous and fast flowing river. For the past two years the Thai government has not granted refugee status to these Burmese entering Thailand. They have no status at all, they cannot get jobs, access to healthcare and every day run the risk of arrest and deportation.
Up to 300 are arrested every day and detained in two centres prior to being deported. IRT is providing blankets and sleeping mats, basic medical supplies and Soya milk for the children at the centres.
For those who are managing to scratch a living and avoid deportation we are providing a counselling service and additional food. We are also hoping to be able to support two schools which the refugees have set up.
The Shan people
IRT has been supporting this group since 2003 in a mountainous area not far from Mae Sot. We continue to support 3 orphanages where 120 children are cared for. These children attend the two schools which we are also supporting with scholastic materials, building improvements and assistance for their small income-generating projects.
The border between Burma and Thailand is littered with landmines and many lose limbs during their escape across the border. We are supporting a small but remarkable centre for these victims. The two men who run it are themselves landmine victims and they have been trained to make and fit artificial limbs to others. The Shan people who benefit from the centre are not entitled to go to the local Thai hospital, which makes the project even more important.