Burmese refugees have been made to return to the border town of Myawaddy from Thailand, despite the volatile situation.
On 8 December 2010, after fighting broke out between a splinter group of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the Burmese junta army, at least 20,000 Burmese civilians fled to the Thai border town, Mae Sot. They included people from various ethnic groups, such as Burman, Karen and Shan.
A temporary shelter was speedily set up in the 346th Border Patrol Police unit where tents were erected on a large field to provide a roof over their heads. Food distribution points, first aid points and water supplies points were set up too. Thai citizens, non-governmental and civil-based organisations in Mae Sot quickly rallied to the cause, and donated large amounts of food, blankets and money.
But the very next day on 9 November, the Thai authorities said that the Burmese authorities had confirmed that the situation was safe, and started repatriating the Burmese refugees. Most of the tents were quickly taken down and the refugees were sent to the border in trucks.
Many among them were confused about what to do, and returned because they saw so many others leaving.
But there were those who were absolutely terrified about returning as they heard from their family who had stayed behind that the situation was still unsafe and they insisted that they did not want to return. Some of them were told that the Thai government will no longer provide food and water supplies.
A man with a month-old baby and his wife in tow said, “I have no money. They don’t want to give food. I don’t know what to do.” Many people had escaped with just their shirts on their backs.
At the same time, a CBO worker that showed up with donated supplies was stopped from distributing the supplies.
There were reports of about 800 people who remained in the camp for that night, and they did receive food and water but were told that they will be sent back on the morning of 10 November.
There are now refugees scattered across Mae Sot. Some are hiding in the houses of complete strangers, usually Burmese migrants who themselves were forced to move to Mae Sot in search of economic and social opportunities.
In a house that took in over 20 people, there were a frail 92-year-old man who had problems walking, and a one-month-old baby. There were still others worried about their treatment for health conditions such as heart disease, asthma and diabetes.
A few hundred people took shelter in monasteries near the river bank in Thailand. Again, among them were newborns, young children, pregnant women and the elderly.
At one monastery, the refugees found cover in a half-completed building. They had no electricity and sat in complete darkness, punctuated by points of candlelight by which they had dinner. The dinner was donated by donors who were driving around with supplies and were trying to find refugees they could help.
According to a volunteer who coordinated donations of blankets at a monastery, there were 500 people but they were all gone by the morning of 10 November. The Thai authorities had gone to the monastery and sent the refugees back to Myawaddy.
One refugee reported that, according to the Thai authorities, 10 November is the last day for Burmese refugees to stay in Mae Sot, after which action will be taken against them.
The situation in Myawaddy remains under threat, and as of 9 November night, reports of fighting in Kawkareik Township have emerged.
For more details and images, please contact:
People Action Committee 2010 (PAC)
Moe Thee Zun
(+66) (0)84 459 1186
Sein Hein
(+66)(0)81 973 1982
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