On April 28, over 50 religious leaders met with the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Karen Refugee Committee (KRC) at the Anglican Church in Hpa-An.

 “We need help if we can actually come back. It’s difficult to receive aid from NGOs and CBOs [community-based organizations]. But the religious associations are very enthusiastic about assisting the refugees,” said Saw Robert Htwe, chair of the KRC.

Religious leaders attending the meeting included Roman Catholics, Buddhists, and Baptists, as well as a representative from the Seventh Day Sabbath Church.

The religious leaders agreed to monitor the situation, assist refugees who are in need and cooperate with each other to help facilitate returns.

“The Karen refugees living across the border and the families displaced within Karen State have suffered for many years. I believe religious leaders have the responsibility to assist them whether from a national point of view or a religious point of view,” said bishop Saw Stylo from the Anglican Church in Hpa-an.

Over 100,000 refugees continue to live in nine official camps along the Thai-Myanmar border despite dwindling funding and cuts to the food rations. The majority of the residents are Karen, with a minority of Karenni, Mon and Burmese residents. The move to start repatriating some of the refugees began in October 2016, with a pilot group of 71 returnees.

According to the KRC, further details about where to funnel aid will be discussed at a future meeting.
 
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by Laignee Barron