Karenni Refugee Camp No. 1, located on the Thailand-Karenni border, is facing a shortage of essential medicines despite an increasing number of respiratory infections among camp residents.

Since last month, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) temporarily suspended its healthcare services at Karenni Refugee Camp No. 1 for a period of 90 days, leading to the closure of medical clinics in the camp.

Although remaining medical supplies in the clinics are not permitted for use, the IRC has been providing a limited supply of medicines on a weekly basis upon request, according to Naw Ku Paw, the Health Coordinator of Karenni Camp No. 1.

“To be clear, the IRC does provide medicines once a week, but only in limited quantities. However, the supply is not sufficient to meet our needs,” she stated.

Currently, 282 people in the camp are suffering from respiratory infections, with the majority being children under the age of 10. On average, 80 to 120 patients seek treatment at the clinic each day.

The closure of medical clinics has also created significant challenges for patients with chronic illnesses.

“There are different levels of illness. Some cases get so severe that people feel like they are on the verge of death. Even if they survive, the suffering is immense. What starts as a mild fever can turn into a high fever. It’s extremely difficult—we can’t sleep, we lose our appetite. Seeing others in good health makes us feel even worse. Some of us have to visit the clinic every day due to our poor health, and this situation leaves us profoundly upset” shared a woman living in the camp.

In addition to respiratory infections, cases of diarrhea and skin diseases have also been reported in the Karenni refugee camp.