Resettlement program passes 30,000 mark

Posted on June 27, 2008
Filed Under Daily News | 1 Comment

The UNHCR is this week patting itself on the back for the apparent success of what it calls the world’s largest resettlement operation. According to its latest announcement, the number of refugees from Burma resettled in third countries has passed the 30,000 mark.

Since January 2005, 30,144 refugees from camps in Thailand have now left for new lives in another country.

Most refugees have been resettled in the US, Australia and Canada, although Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom are also accepting refugees.

UNHCR Regional Representative Raymond Hall is quoted as saying: “Resettlement has become an attractive option for Myanmar refugees in Thailand, as the chances of returning home any time soon have dimmed. Settling down permanently in Thailand is also not a possibility.”

Karen refugees in Umpium camp

The vast majority of refugees, 21,453 have gone to the US, which made an open-ended offer in 2005 to take refugees from camps in Thailand.

Despite the apparent success at resettling refugees, 123,584 refugees and asylum seekers remain in the nine camps in Thailand. Many of them have already applied and are awaiting resettlement. But, others have no intention of leaving Thailand.

For some, like the elderly, the prospect of trying to start a new life in a new culture and learning a new language makes no sense. And, for others, the emotional connection to their homeland remains too strong.

I once asked a Karen pastor friend of mine, who had been living in Mae La refugee camp for almost 20 years if he and his family would ever apply for resettlement. After pausing for thought, he said, “No, we will wait until we can go home again.”

However, for those remaining in Thailand, life is becoming tougher. A 2007 study by the Committee for Coordination of Services to Displaced Persons in Thailand on the impact of resettlement on the remaining camp population found: ” With many of the most educated and capable refugees already leaving for resettlement there are enormous challenges to be faced to sustain services and camp administration, particularly in the health and education sectors.”

Furthermore, many refugees are experiencing problems in adjusting to life in a third country, with numerous reports of suicide filtering back to Mae Sot.

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2. AH1N1 virus confirmed in Mae La refugee camp Medical workers in Mae La refugee camp have confirmed the...
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