The year 2014 was marked by the change in the governmental regime in Thailand, and by an increase in skirmishes and provocations among different armed groups in the Karen State, the state that produces the majority of refugees in the camps of the Tak province.
Alarming psycho-social fragility among camp populations
These events have highlighted the social and psycho-social fragility among camp populations. A firmer speech addressing the future of the camps, the restriction of movement of people in camps imposed by Thailand's authorities, and the impasse of the peace discussions in Myanmar (where acts of violence in many rebellious states are on the rise) were simultaneous factors that have pushed a population lacking perspective for its future into deeper consternation. The elderly are losing hope in the possibility of returning to their lands; the young, despite a good level of education and consistent training offered by the organisations present on the camps, don't have opportunities and their chances of finding work are diminishing.
In this context, stakeholders intervening in the psycho-social field have pointed out that the number of suicides has significantly increased in the camps, and the refugee committees have shared their concerns regarding the acts of delinquency estimated to be on the rise, and the overwhelming feeling of injustice that refugees are experiencing.
This is a major issue that camp stakeholders are faced with, and that has already been discussed within the CCSDPT (Committee for Co-ordination of Services to Displaced Persons in Thailand), whether it be in groups working on specific issues or in groups coordinating each camp.
Improved support by working with social difficulties and concerns of refugees
SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL has already initiated specific actions directed at the young people, offering training in developing activities that could generate a small income, and especially self-confidence. Our teams have equally revised our methods of intervention, with the purpose to further encourage discussion and paying attention to refugees' wishes, questions and concerns. Apart from our traditional technical competency, this situation calls for our concerted efforts to listen more closely, to instil confidence among those we support and engage them more. In so doing, we will at least give them back their dignity, if not their hope.
Finally, in 2015 and more precisely during the next months, the teams of SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL will get ready to cope with the drought. The rainy season at the end of 2014 was not good and the hot season came sooner than expected. The flow of some of our water supply resources has started to weaken and we must revise and apply the first steps specified in our drought contingency plan. We will have to be ready in the next few weeks, certainly by the month of March, in order to ensure continuity of access to quality water for the almost 41,000 people living in Mae La camp.