The Border Consortium eLetter ISSUE 23, DECEMBER 2013

-Burma/

shelter, and capacity-building support for the camp residents. TBC also endeavours to increase self-

Camp Fires and Emergency Response December 27 Fire in Mae La camp and engulfed a school, an adjoining boarding school, and over 100 households. The Thai Ministry of the Interior (MoI), military, and fire trucks responded rapidly and were able to get the fire under control by approximately 4pm. Fortunately, there was no loss of life, though three people were injured and

homeless. 57 houses were burned in the fire while a further 86 households had to be dismantled to prevent the fire spreading further – a standard procedure for fires in the densely-populated refugee camps. 753 people have been affected in total, including 282 children under 14 years of age and destroyed in the fire.

November 2013. Located in 's , Mae La is north of the city of Mae Sot, near the border with .

immediate humanitarian assistance to ensure that those affected by the fire were able to receive emergency supplies of food and drinking water, as well as mosquito nets and blankets, all the more important as Thailand is currently in the grips of an unusual winter

homeless by the fire were accommodated either by family members in other parts of the camp, or in schools.

emergency procurement and delivery of shelter materials so that

quickly organised site-clearing brigades, and most of the work had

this tragic event. e people injured in this emergency are cared for. Refugees already lead incredibly difficult and uncertain lives. A tragic event hardship. Facebook, Instagram, and pages as well as at . The Border Consortium eLetter Issue 23, December 2 0 1 3

December 28 fire in Ban Mai (Site 1) camp

Nai Soi (Site 1) camp, in Province. Tragically, one person was

TBC's condolences go to the family of the deceased and we are working with the families affected on a coordinated response.

them down as a means to stop the spread of the fire further into the camp – this is standard procedure in the refugee camps on the Thailand/Myanmar border. under 18 years of age.

MoI, the Royal d recorded by MoI at the Mae Hong Son Provincial Office. Soi are predominantly Karenni refugees from Myanmar. TBC has already delivered kitchen equipment, drinking water and fresh food for the affected families. COERR is leading on compiling remaining NFI needs and gaps to facilitate targeted responses from all NGOs. IRC Environmental Health Unit has repaired the water pipes broken to facilitate the response to the fire, and already has a stock of replacement stoves and toilet covers to replace any damaged during the fire. Due to the death of one of the community, an

officials is underway. Once Donate online completed, a cleansing TBC’s ability to provide ceremony will be performed over the affected area humanitarian aid, community- before clearing the site of oriented programming, and debris and preparing for respond to emergencies depends

TBC is in the process of donors and from individual donors making an assessment of who help make up the TBC family. homeless are being accommodated within the community, with efforts being made to make sure residents in these northern areas are able to keep warm during an unusually cold winter. online via our website at

donate/donate.htm begin as soon as possible. rapid response to this tragic event. cheque or bank transfer. Facebook and TBC is a registered charity in the pages and on . United Kingdom. Appeal for Assistance If you would like to donate to TBC to aid the recovery effort for the fires in Mae La and Ban Mai Nai Soi, or to help our humanitarian and development work throughout the supporters. refugee community, please visit TBC's website at . Our individual donors. Thank you in advance for your support.

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