BKK POST: January 28, 1998: REFUGEE (r)

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

BKK POST: January 28, 1998: REFUGEES

              Delegation drops
              in on Karen camp,

              US shows way to get extra cash for
              needy

              praise Thais for good job

              Supamart Kasem 
              Umphang, Tak

              AUS delegation called on the Thai government to upgrade a
              refugee shelter in Umphang district to refugee camp status in
              order to attract extra funds from the US government and other
              foreign donors.

              US Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees and Migration,
              Julia V. Taft, yesterday led US representatives on a visit to
              Karen refugees at the Nu Pho site.

              The delegation included US Ambassador William Itoh, Deputy
              Coordinator for the Refugee and Migration Affairs Section John
              W. Crowley and the US consul in Chiang Mai Scoot Bellard.

              After inspecting the shelter and receiving a briefing on the
              refugees' living conditions by Umphang district chief Charoen
              Singhayakul, Mrs Taft praised the Thai government for taking
              good care of the displaced. 

              The Nu Pho camp, about 13 kilometres from the Burmese
              border, was built in the middle of last year to accommodate
              more than 10,000 Karens who have fled to Thailand in the last
              12 months. 

              Thai authorities evacuated these refugees from border camps to
              the new Nu Pho site to prevent them being attacked by rival
              Burmese forces.

              Mrs Taft reportedly expressed concerns about the rising
              population in the camp and proposed that the shelter be declared
              a refugee camp. It could then get more aid from the US
              government through the United Nations High Commissioner for
              Refugees. 

              Tak Governor Phongphayom Wasaphuti said the proposal,
              which would see the UNHCR playing more of a role in taking
              care of the refugees, would be submitted to higher authorities for
              consideration. 




                                     




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