6,000 Shan refugees left in limbo as international funding ends
More than 6,000 Shan
refugees, currently living in six camps along the Thai-Burmese border, are
suddenly faced with the prospect of surviving without support from the
international community.
Monthly rations and
aid to each camp will be cut as from October 2017, according to a joint
statement released by the Shan State Refugee Committee (Thai Border) and Shan
Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) yesterday.
The six camps
affected are: Kong Moong Murng Camp, opposite Mok Cham Pae, Mae Hong Son
province; Loi Tai Laeng IDP camp, opposite Bang Ma Pha, Mae Hong Son province;
Loi Lam IDP camp, opposite Wiang Haeng, Chiang Mai province; Koung Jor refugee
camp, Wiang Haeng, Chiang Mai province; Loi Sam Sip IDP camp, opposite Fang,
Chiang Mai province; and Loi Kaw Wan IDP camp, opposite Mae Fah Luang, Chiang
Rai province.
Four of those
makeshift villages are recognised as IDP camps, meaning they shelter internally
displaced persons, or IDPs, because the camps reside on the Burmese side of the
border.
“These camps have
existed for up to 18 years,” read the joint statement. “Most of the refugees
fled the Burma Army’s massive scorched earth campaign in central Shan State during
1996-1998, in which over 300,000 villagers were forced at gunpoint from their
homes, and hundreds of villagers were tortured, raped and killed.”
Despite the
hardships refugees can expect to face once the funding runs out, few will be
able to return to their homes in Shan State due to ongoing fighting between
Burmese government forces and myriad ethnic armed groups. The current situation
is exacerbated by the expansion of military operations by the Burmese army
throughout Shan State; simultaneously, reports of human rights abuses have
increased.
“Despite the fact
that the NCA [Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement] has been signed, the fighting is still
going on. It’s impossible to go back home at this time,” said Loong Sai Leng,
the leader of Koung Jor refugee camp, which is not recognized as an official
refugee camp by United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Koung Jor was set up on the Thai-Border in
Chiang Mai province in 2002.
“Also there are
landmines around our villages [now occupied by Burmese troops],” he added.
Sai Peing, one of
the leading members of the Loi Tai Leng camp, situated on Thai soil since 1999,
explained that refugees have long been dependent on aid because they have no land
for cultivation. He said that a lack of humanitarian aid will most impact children,
women, the elderly and disabled people.
He said that one
male refugee had recently hanged himself due to the stress of the imminent cut
in rations.
Speaking at Chiang
Mai University yesterday, Charm Tong, a Shan activist and spokesperson for the joint-statement,
said, “The reason donors have cut the funding is because they believe Burma is
under a peace process. They have moved the funds away from the border.
She added: “But the Burmese
army continues to expand its military presence. This is because of the many
mega projects [in the Shan region], such as dam construction, mining, and other
operations.
“Unless there is a
genuine nationwide ceasefire, a withdrawal of Burma Army troops, and a
political settlement to end the civil war, the displaced villagers dare not
return home,” the joint-statement said. “Until such time as the refugees can
return voluntarily, in safety and dignity, international donors are urged to
maintain adequate humanitarian support for the refugee and IDP camps along the
Shan-Thai border.”
Camp leader Sai Peing concluded:
“We want to live our lives as human beings, so we wish the international
community to continue supporting us.”
By Shan Herald Agency for
News (SHAN)
Tags: Human Rights, News
