Karen Refugee Committee s2

Karen Refugee Committee Monthly Report October, 2005 – Newsletter

The United Nations came into effect (60) years ago, on October 24th 1945, after the Charter was signed by the original (51) Member States and upon ratification by the Permanent Members of the Security Council and a majority of other signatories. The Purpose being to maintain international Peace and Security, to develop friendly relations among Nations; to achieve international Co-operation in solving economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems, and in promoting respect for Human Rights and Basic Freedoms; to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of Nations in attaining these common ends. (60) Years have gone by and today, the United Nations body has gone over the (190) members mark. But the achievements of Purposes can still be seen as not up to expectations.

Confrontations and Conflicts, International or Internal are a daily occurrence. Relations are sour, if not bitter. Promotion of Human Rights and Basic Freedom are just words to play with. The stark reality is that there are millions of displaced and suffering people who have no place to call home, even though there are (191) states with no lack of space or resources. This is manifestation that things depend very much on human sentiment than other factors.

The five Security Council Members of the United Nations who each holds ultimate decision are at least opponents rather than co-workers, taking sides for their own vested interests and which results in vital issues being side lined or thrown out.

This October is the 23rd Anniversary of the Yom Kippur war of 1973, which started on October 6th and ended a week later, mainly due to influential Intervention. But, to all evidences, that regional conflict has not ended completely. There is the danger of a new flare-up, at any time, if there were to be slips of the tongue, or matter of fact comments of “wiping off” the other party.

This month, we hear of a big blast in Bali-Indonesia, which was a follow-up to the Blast of 2002 that killed 202, with many of the dead being “Foreign Tourists”. These blasts may look like isolated events, but then may have wider connections, which can be ominous and far-reaching with retaliatory counter actions.

As for Burma, the SPDC has made the decision to opt out from the membership of the I.L.O, the International Labor Organization. This follows the recent decision to renounce the “Chair” of ASEAN. Then the SPDC will continue with the decision to hold the National Convention in their own way, irrespective of oppositions from many. Which shows the uncompromising and belligerent set-in attitude of the generals with no mood for change or reconciliation. Meanwhile, the country is reeling under the rocketing commodity prices as a result of the eight-fold raising of oil prices. This is affecting all sectors of living. The people are really suffering. And the “Democracy Lady” is still in her “House”, this month going over the 10 year Mark of Detention.

However, human sentiment can never be disregarded or underestimated as they can usher in change in a most unexpected way. We can look back to the October Russian Revolution of 1917, which brought Absolute Power to Lenin/ Stalin and the Communist Party. This resulted in the Soviet Union emerging as a World Super Power, to go along with the strongest Army and weapons to match. But later, it must be remembered that the Soviet Union disintegrated into (15) separate States. Some are even contemplating joining the European Union. That can be taken literally as the move through sentiment towards harmonizing the actions of Nations and respect for Human Rights and Basic Freedom, as laid down by the United Nation’s Charter. There can be no doubt that the move was simply affected through Human Sentiment rather than the firing of Weapons. And then, there is still the need to remember that the world is always at the mercy of unpredictable, destructive natural Forces, like the Tsunamis, the Katrina’s and the Quakes-together with the now dreaded HIV/AIDS, and the Bird Flu. Humanity is in for a very difficult journey ahead. K.R.C - Camps- Activities – Report. October – 2005

 12-9-05 – KRC Chairman and Branch Members visit Mae La Oo Refugee Camp in Mae Sariang District for the purpose of;

NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE CAMPS OCTOBER, 2005.

CAMP No. of Over - 12 Yrs 6 - 12 Yrs Under 5 Yrs Total MAE SOT families M F M F M F AREA Mae La 8620 15385 15108 4529 4160 3170 3042 45394 Um Pheim Mai 3556 6273 6005 1894 1709 1454 1303 18638 Total 12176 21658 21113 6423 5869 4624 4345 64032 NORTH Mae Ra Moe 2170 4696 4288 1401 1259 1039 1020 13703 Mae La Oo 2662 5106 4606 1585 1460 1170 1110 15037 Total 4832 9802 8894 2986 2719 2209 2130 28740 Noh Poe 2241 4258 4147 1107 1170 806 794 12282 SOUTH Ban Dong Yang 889 1432 1499 492 448 253 221 4345 Htam Him 1736 2515 2727 1078 1069 645 684 8718 Total 4866 8205 8373 2677 2687 1704 1699 25345 Grand Total 21874 39665 38380 12086 11275 8537 8174 118117

We shall always be grateful to the Thai people and Government for their sympathy and understanding in allowing us safe refuge. We are also indebted to the NGOs for their Supports and Services. TBBC- Support in Food and Shelter Material. TBBC is also supporting with warm clothing for all the camps. MSF- Support in Medical and Health facilities. AMI- " " " " " ARC- " " " " " MHD- " " " " " ZOA (ABWaid) - Support in Educational facilities Teachers' Training. Consortium - Support in World Educational facilities, Teachers' Training and Education for Deaf/Mute/Blinds. TOPS- Support in Educational facilities. ICS- Asia- Support in Educational facilities and school buildings. COERR- Rice and Educational support. EVI- to be involved with Extremely Vulnerable people. H.I- Support for Refugee Handicaps with Prosthesis and rehabilitation and also year-end sporting events for Handicaps. NCA- (Norway Church Aid) has been providing KRC with administrative & organizational Support. It has also supported with remuneration for KRC members and workers. UNHCR- For Registration Process Protection and Ultimate Safe Repatriation. SMRU- Support with Malaria Control, Prevention and Treatment. SVA- to support with Libraries in the camps. PPAT- Parenthood Planning Association Thailand - Supporting with Family Planning and Preventive/ Education in Refugee Camps. Address: P.O Box- 5, Mae Sot, Tak-63110, Thailand. Ø (055) Intl: +66 55 532 947. E- Mail [email protected]. Fax :( 055) Intl +66 55 546 869

KAREN REFUGEE COMMITTEE

MONTHLY REPORT

OCTOBER , 2005