@@@April is the hottest month of the year in our part of the world. As
usual,the temprature of the air normally stays above 95 degrees Fahrenheit
(35C),in day time. In such heat, the thatch or leave roofs of the huts of
the refugees in the camps turn tinder dry. Rain water from the April showers,
which we had twice this year, dried up in no time. Fire has become a serious
hazard and much effort has to be made to prevent if from breaking out.
@@@But as if to take advantage of the situation, about 80 DKBA and SLORC
troops came into TaPerPoo refugee camp in Umphang township, on the night of
April 26, and burnt down 18 huts, including some shop-houses, after looting
cash and goods from the shops. The intruders shot dead one refugee, a
deserter from their own ranks, and threaten to burn down the whole camp next
time, if the refugees do not go back and live in Ga-lor-waw, a village about
6 miles on the other side of the border line. The 4 or 5 Thai militia men
guarding the camp, of course, were much out-numbered and had no beat a hasty
retreat.
@@@One other regrettable matter is that the refugees in the border area
of Kanchanaburi are still in a state of uncertainly, as they are being moved
from one place to another. It is apparently a case of the local authorities
flip-flopping, because "now they get the permission to build a shelter, now
they don't," in spite of the long-standing and noble tradition of the
Kingdom and the humane policy of the Royal Thai Government to extend a
sanctualy and humanitarian treatment to those fleeing from severe persecution
and repression whether on political, religious or ethnic ground. The
sympathetic NGOs, the International Community and the KRC have done their
best to alleviate the trouble and sufferings of the refugees in the area, but
clearly more effort is called for.
@@@On April 28, a piece of disturbing information received by the KRC was
the flight of 426 homeless families, numbering 2167 persons, from the hill
area of Nyaung-lay-bin district. These civilians have been uprooted by the
ongoing major offensive initiated by the SLORC in February against the KNU.
Reportedly, the drugcrazed SLORC troops involved in the military operations
burnt down all their villages, granaries, harvests and shot dead all the
live-stock, cutting down orchards, shooting at all people in sight and etc,
in short marking these people impossible to survive in their own areas.
The KRC received regularly reports of atrocities against the civilians in
other areas as well, but it seems that this group finds it totally
impossible to continue hiding in jungles, living on wild vegetables, beats
and roots which have limited food value.
@@@We, the Karen Refugees Committee, would like to express our deep
appreciation and gratitude to the Thai authorities concerned, and the Royal
Thai Government for allowing the refugees to take refuge in the border area
of Thailand and permitting the international NGOs to provide the basic needs
to the refugees. We are also much indebted to the various international NGOs,
humanitarian organizations and aid agencies for their continued assistance
and help, the International Community, individuals, our friends far and
near for their sympathy, support and valuable advice.
@@@l`qbgDPXXV
@@@March was one of the most harrowing months for all of us. the KRC
members, because of problems caused by changing demands and uncertain
situation. The tasks of attending the needs of new arrivals in Umphang
area, reorganizing and arranging for resettlement of the thousands:
who had been made homeless by arson attacks in late January, in Maesot
area, were quite demanding and stressful ones.
@@@The distressing time for us was when we received confirmed reports
that some local authorities on the border in Sankllllaburi, Kanchanaburi
and Ratchaburi provinces denied refuge to the thousands of Karen civilians
fleeing from the SLORC offensive. Later on, when some were allowed to
enter into Thai terrotory, they were told pointedly not to expect a long
stay and made to feel most unwelcomed. The most tragic event was the
death of 15-persons from cholera which broke out among the 4000 displaced
Karen that had been piling up on the Karen side of the border. The cause
were lack of modern medicine and clean water in the area.
@@@After the intervention of sympathetic Thai individuals and groups,
the raising of concern by the International Community and by international
NGOs, relief work is progressing more or less normaly, but the refugees in
the south are still in a state of fear and uncertainly. We are now trying
our utmost to get the best terms and conditions for them to survive to be
free from the fear of the forced repatriation and hash treatment.
jqb|mdvr(MAR,APL/1997)D
@
