20/2/97: THE NCCA PRESS RELEASE ON

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Subject: 20/2/97: THE NCCA PRESS RELEASE ON REFUGEE SITUATION

/* Posted 20 Mar 6:00pm 1997 by drunoo@xxxxxxxxxxxx in igc:reg.burma */
/* -------------" NCCA Press release (20/2/97) "--------------- */

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN AUSTRALIA
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Media Release: 20 February 1997

Churches warn of refugee crisis on Thai/Burma border
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Church based relief workers on the Thai/Burma border warn that over 100,000
refugees are under serious threat following recent cross border attacks and
the build up of Burmese military forces near the border.

"Reports of refugee movements and fighting inside Burma are streaming in
with the situation worsening by the hour" say relief personnel working for
the burmese Border Consortium in Thailand. The consortium of five church
and non-government aid agencies supplies $14 million in relief needs to
over 100,000 Burmese refugees living in camps scattered along the border.

Massive troop movements have been reported on the Burmese side involving
five army divisions preparing for a multi-pronged attack. The Burmese
defense Attache in Bangkok has also been reported to have warned Thai
authorities of an impending offensive.

"Church agencies on the border have responded to the recent attacks on
three camps in the Mae Sot area with the provision of $200,000 of emergency
assistance" said Mr Graham Tupper, Overseas Programs Manager for the
National Council of Churches in Australia. "Right now relief workers are
preparing for the worst and urgent attention is needed on the relocation of
vulnerable refugee camps to more secure sites. We simply cannot stand by
with all these warinig bells ringing and watch a new wave of suffering
unfold" said Mr Tupper. "The churches will be doing all that is possible,
within Thailand and internationally, to ensure that these people receive
adequate protection and assistance."

The National Council of Churches in Australia will send $630,000 to the
Burmese Border Consortium to meet refugee needs. This includes $30,000
raised by the NCCA through the Christmas Bowl appeal and $600,000 from the
Australian Government aid program administered by AusAID. These funds will
provide basic food rations and emergency relief needs including shelter
materials for the refugees forced to flee their camps.

"The NCCA acknowledge and appreciates the significant financial support
provided by the Australian Government and the recent statement by the
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Downer, deploring the border attacks" said
Mr tupper. "We urge the MInister to press the Royal Thai Government to
increase its protection of Burmese refugees fleeing the brutal actions of
the Burmese military."

For more informaiton:
Graham Tupper, Overseas Programs Manager Office tel: 02 9299 2215
Michael Brown, Director, Christian World Service Office tel: 02 9299 2215

The member agencies of the Burmese Border Consortium are: The Church of
Christ in Thailand, Thailand Baptist Missionary Fellowship, Refugee Care
Netherlands, International Rescue Committee and Jesuit Refugee Service. The
AUD $14 million annual budget of the BBC is contributed by over 30 donors
including AusAID, European Government sources, church groups and other
NGO's.

/* Endreport */
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