The U.S. Consul General visited Koung-Jor Shan refugee camp in Chiang Mai Province at the Thai-Myanmar border on Tuesday (February 13) to inquire about health, education, and living conditions of the refugees.
When a three-member delegation led by Jennifer A.Harhigh, the U.S. Consul General for Chiang Mai, visited the refugee camp on Tuesday morning to make the inquiry, the camp’s in-charge explained to them about the aid cuts.
“We explained about the difficulties we are facing after the TBC (The Border Consortium) cut off the aids. We told them to urge the U.S. government to provide direct support to the Shan Refugee Assistance Committee instead of providing aids via the TBC if they have a plan to assist the refugees. The delegation took notes,” Sayar Sai Lieng told the Shan Herald.
Over 6,200 Shan refugees, who are unable to return home due to regional instability, are facing difficulties after the TBC cut off aids for six Shan refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border in October, 2017. The camp committees and civil society organizations are currently supporting the refugees by seeking donations on their own.
Koung-Jor refugee camp is located in Piang Luang sub-district under Wiang Haeng District in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Over 400 refugees are living at the camp but it has not been recognized as a refugee camp by the UNHCR even though it is the only Shan refugee camp in Thailand. Refugees living at this camp do not receive the right to migrate to a third country and the Thai government also does not recognize the refugee camp.
