Villagers flee offensive as Thailand prepares for influx of refugees
Posted on June 7, 2009
Filed Under Burma news, Karen news | Comments Off
Safe Haven Orphanage
This afternoon, I visited an orphanage a couple of hours north of Mae Sot, near the border with Burma.
I spent most of my time there playing with the children and kept them entertained with a few magic tricks. However, every so often, came the sound of gunfire from across the valley.
Safe Haven Orphanage overlooks the Moei River, which marks the border between Thailand and Burma. Just across the border, the Burmese Army and its allies in the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) have launched an offensive against a nearby KNLA (Karen National Liberation Army) base and the nearby Internally Displaced Persons (DP) camp at Ler Per Her (See: Attack on IDPs appears imminent).
According to the Karen Human Rights Group (KNRG) over 3,000 villagers have fled Ler Per Her and are seeking refuge in Thailand. In a bulletin issued today, KHRG said, “This is the largest refugee exodus from Karen State on a single occasion since 1997”
Safe Haven is already sheltering over 100 children from a school across the border. And, the Thai authorities have now made the orphanage a staging point for people crossing the border.
They are trying to encourage people crossing the border to head to the orphanage, where they will find shelter and a team ready to provide medical assistance. Authorities plan to make announcements by loudspeaker along the road overlooking the border, telling new arrivals to head for the orphanage.
Estimates vary, but as many as 200 families could arrive in the next day.
Related posts:
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- Villagers forced to relocate as DKBA prepares for assault on Brigade 5 The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) is taking up positions...
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