U.S. Cultural Exchange Program 2008 Umpiem and Mae La Camps, Thailand Presentation by Tonya Cook to the MN Department of Health May 28, 2008
REFUGEE CAMPS IN THAILAND There are around 150,000 refugees from Burma living in designated camps in Thailand. Some have been in these camps for more than 2 decades. The USRP has agreed to resettle refugees from 9 of the 10 camps (red dots). *More than 61% of camp population are ethic Karen Map courtesy of Thai Burma Border Consortium: http://www.tbbc.org/camps/camps.htm
The Karen People (Pwa Ka Nyaw Po) Kawthoolei Karen name for Karen State which can be translated as "Land of Light" or "Land Without Evil." The flag of the Karen State. The design with a drum is attributed to the KNU (Karen National Union).
History of Refugees from Burma: Minority Ethnic Groups The dark-shaded border areas had never been under the direct control of the Burmese Government or occupied by the Burmese Army. These areas were controlled by the ethnic nationalities themselves, predominantly Shan, Karenni, Karen and Mon, who had established de facto autonomous states. Separatist minority ethnic groups Burma independence from Britain in 1947. Karen National Union (KNU) fighting for independence since then (60+ years of struggle for independence). Armed wing of the KNU is the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). Info and map from: TBBC: A Brief History of the Thailand Burma Border Situation http://www.tbbc.org/camps/history.htm
History of Refugees from Burma: Minority Ethnic Groups In 1994, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), splintered from the KNLA and went over to the side of the Burmese military junta. The group was given territory inside of Burma to rule over in exchange. The DKBA splinter led to the fall of Manerplaw (the capital of the Karen State and HQ of the KNU). Since then, the KNU and KNLA have continued to fight the Burma state military by forming guerilla units and basing themselves in temporary jungle camps on the Thai-Burma border. Following its principle of no surrender, the KNU continues despite a precarious state of existence. All minority separatist campaigns experiencing ethnic cleansing under the military regime's Four Cuts campaigns, a strategy where intelligence, finances, food and recruits are eliminated through a scorched-earth policy. Info from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/karen_national_union
History of Refugees from Burma: Pro Democracy Movement Military junta government since 1962. 1988 protests led by Monks and student groups against oppression of Ne Win's military regime. The uprising was crushed by the army on 18th September with thousands killed on the streets. Photo from TBBC Program Report: July to December 2007 http://www.tbbc.org/resources/2007-6-mth-rpt-jul-dec.pdf Information from http://www.karen.org/ and www.tbbc.org
History of Refugees from Burma: Pro Democracy Movement In 1990, there was a multiparty election that was overwhelmingly won by Aung San Suu Kyi s National League for Democracy (NLD). Multiparty elections were a ploy to bring out the pro-democracy resistance leaders and supporters. The NLD was not allowed to take power and elected MPs were instead imprisoned or intimidated. The name of Burma was changed to Myanmar and the country remained a military dictatorship. The name Myanmar has ethnic overtones implying Burmese superiority. Most ethnic groups do not call their country Myanmar. Information from http://www.karen.org/ Aung San Su Kyi and her father, Aung San, who negotiated the Burmese independence from Great Britain
What s Next for Refugees Who Have Cannot return to Burma Ruled by a military junta Fled Burma? Burma is the most corrupt government in the world according to Transparency International No freedom of speech or political freedom State-sanctioned torture and rape Forced labor U.S. sanctions on Burmese military junta, but Chinese continues to trade with Burmese government While I was in Thailand, it was heard that a Burmese official recently said, In ten years, the only Karen person you will see will be in a museum.
Possibility of Attack from Burma Mae La Camp was attacked in 1997 by DKBA troops. There have been no incursions since then, but a mortar shell landed in Section A5 in March 1998. Every dry season, this area is quite tense with concerns relating to camp security threats of armed attack and/or attempts to burn the camp. Info from http://www.tbbc.org/camps/mst.htm#ml
What s Next for Refugees Who Have Fled Burma? Cannot integrate into Thailand RTG not signed on to 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or 1967 Protocol, thus not bound to international law relating to refugees. RTG reluctant to recognize them as refugees. They are seen as criminals who are in Thailand illegally. Not allowed to work. Camps are called Temporary Shelters
Decisions Surrounding Resettlement Some opposition to resettlement from NGOs and Camp Committees. Concerns about losing skilled labor to resettlement (teachers, medics) Those who choose resettlement accused of giving up on the cause Some NGOs working to develop economic opportunities for refugees to work in Thailand Balance with reality of the unknown if they stay in the temporary shelter area (unknown what RTG will do, unknown what Burmese gov t could do). Medics kidnapped and forced to serve with Burmese military Possibility of involuntary repatriation? ( economic development in Burma )
Information Campaign: Addressing FAQs, dispelling myths, giving stories, updates about resettlement
Information Board (stories, pictures), can be read day or night
Handing out the Newsletter
Resettlement of Refugees from Thailand: Main Actors Royal Thai Government (RTG) UNHCR U.S. Embassy Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Overseas Processing Entity (OPE) is the International Rescue Committee (the IRC) US Cultural Orientation (USCO/CO) contract held by the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Resettlement of Refugees from Thailand: Role of the OPE (the IRC) Helps refugees fill out the I-590 Hears their persecution story Gathers biodata Organizes interpreters for DHS interviews Offices in Bangkok and in the camps
World Relief
Challenges to Resettlement Processing from 9 camps OPE and DHS infrastructure must be built in or near each camp-- northern camps are more remote New CDC protocols for sputum testing (expires after 8 weeks -can create a vicious cycle for family members) TB treatment is 6-8 months Registration (spouses, children born in camps) Exit Permits (to leave Thailand): Need signatures of 7 Thai gov t agencies. Can take 15-30 days to get Good for one day
Processing Logistics: DHS interviews and medicals for Mae La, Umpiem and Nu Po Camps take place in the small town of Mae Sot Mae La to Mae Sot ~ 1 hr Umpiem to Mae Sot ~ 2 hrs Nu Po to Mae Sot ~ 3 hrs Map courtesy of Thai Burma Border Consortium: http://www.tbbc.org/camps/camps.htm
Mae Sot Processing Center Refugees are bussed from Mae La, Umpiem and Nu Po camps to the Processing Center in Mae Sot Stay at a renovated abandoned factory DHS interviews Bussed to a Mae Sot town for IOM medicals
DHS Interview Compound
A Place to Sleep
Watching videos portraying life in America as they pass the time
ELL, Children s Classroom, HIV/TB Education
U.S. Cultural Orientation (USCO)
USCO Take basic topics for CO from the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) and tailor to reach the refugee population. Very interactive (successful model for Burmese) Comprehensive: 25 hours (5 hours/5 days) USCO Student Workbook, translated New strategy of giving students homework to encourage them to use their workbook and process information outside of class PARTICIPANT in USRP, must be
IOM Office in Mae Sot
Some of the IOM CO Trainers
This class had both a Karen and Burmese interpreter
American Greetings American handshake
Interactive Learning Thank you. You re Welcome!
What job do you want? How hard will you have to work to get that job? Engineer and Pilots Different jobs available with different levels of education Mov01198.mpg Dr. Kyaw
Mock Interviews: why should I give you the job?
Expenses and Budgeting Earn More, Spend Less
Rights and Responsibilities What different rights do you have at each stage of immigration status? I will have human rights the same as Americans with refugee status.
Traveling to America Where are we going? What can we bring with us? Video about the flight, translated into Burmese and Karen
Cultural Adjustment- What will happen to my culture? Water mixed with: oil, orange concentrate, sugar: which type of person will you be? Can you be different types of people at different times and places?
Children and Youth CO What are you excited about? What are you afraid of? What is school like in America? Will I have a nice teacher? Do I have to raise my hand?
Children and Youth CO Why does America want us?
Umpiem Camp
Refugee Camp Operations Camps run by refugees themselves Camp Committee Distribute rations, water sanitation, etc. Day to-day affairs of life in the camp for refugees De-facto Karen State transferred to the camps (de facto health department, education system)
Life the Refugee Camps: TBBC Food Rations (per person per month) Rice: 15 kg/ adult: 7.5 kg/ child < 5 years Fortified flour (AsiaMIX) 0.50 kg/ adult: 1 kg/ child < 5 years Fishpaste 0.75 kg/ person Iodised Salt 330 gm/ person Mung Beans 1 kg/ adult: 500 gm/ child < 5 years Cooking Oil 1 ltr/ adult: 500 ml/ child < 5 years Dry Chillies 40 gm/ person Sugar 125 gm/ adult: 250 gm/ child < 5years One blanket per two people http://www.tbbc.org/resources/2007-6-mth-rpt-juldec.pdf
Soap Having been identified as a gap under Sphere Standards as long ago as 2000, TBBC was eventually able to start border-wide distributions of soap in April 2007, providing both bathing soap and washing powder on quarterly basis. Unfortunately these distributions were the first casualty of the budget cuts enforced at the end of the year and the last distribution occurred in October. Some health agencies are endeavouring to provide some soap in some of the camps and UNICEF baby kits (that contain a soap bar) continue to be delivered. However this is perceived as a big loss by the http://www.tbbc.org/resources/2007-6-mth-rpt- beneficiaries. jul-dec.pdf
No Running Water
Mae La Camp
Mae La is the largest of the camps. Nearly 50,000 people live in less than 3 square km between the hill and the road.
Getting Around in Mae La Camp: My Guides
Getting around in Mae La Camp
Getting around in Mae La Camp
Getting around in Mae La Camp
Getting around in Mae La Camp
Not much space between buildings
Some Small Business
The Corn Cooker
Churches Schools
Buddhist Temple, Monastery
Water Stores
Hospital
Life in a Refugee Camp
Life in a Refugee Camp
Life in a Refugee Camp
Life in a Refugee Camp
Life in a Refugee Camp
Life in a Refugee Camp
Typical House
Typical House
Departure The journey to America starts with getting your IOM bag, a new pair of shoes and an army green fleece jacket.
Departure: saying goodbye
Saying goodbye
Departure
Departure: Travel
Familiar bags: the beginning of their journey
Reflection on visiting the camps I want to be a social worker someday because I want to help people. Maybe someday we will work together.
At the end of the day
Gratitude for the USRP
Thank you! Questions?