wfn.org | THAILAND: REFUGEE CAMPS THREATENED

[a.whitefield@quest.org.uk]

April 11, 1997
ANGLICAN COMMUNION NEWS SERVICE
Canon Jim Rosenthal, Director of Communications
Anglican Communion Office
London,U.K

[97.4.2.11]

THAILAND: REFUGEE CAMPS THREATENED

(Anglican Encounter, Australia) Mae La refugee camp on the urma-Thailand
border, which is home to more than 2,000 Anglicans and 23,000 other
refugees, came under military attack from across the Thai-Burma border
recently, threatening a truce which has lasted for nearly a year.

Mae La is one of the main camps at the centre of Anglican outreach work
from Christ Church, Bangkok, Thailand.  Three times recently  military
units, presumed to belong to the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army and
supported by the Burmese military government, crossed the border into
Sho Klo, Wanka Ka and Don Pa Kiang refugee camps, firing mortars and
burning down hundreds of refugee huts.  Seven thousand refugees have
been left homeless.

During a further raid, into Mae La camp on 28 January, the invading
force ran into Thai military forces outside the camp perimeter and a
skirmish broke out.  Fifteen houses were burnt down.

The Karen Refugee Committee later released a statement which said that
many residents in the camps were in panic and have fled to places which
they believed to be more secure.

Christ Church Bangkok Karen Outreach Committee chairperson, Anette
Lemonius,  has appealed for international Anglican agencies around the
world to stand with their brothers and sisters during this crisis.  The
continuing prayers, financial and other support is always requested.