Karen Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s)
Karen people fleeing conflict and systematic human rights violations at the hands of the Burmese military regime have left their homes for the safety of Thailand for over 35 years. Today, more than 120,000 Karen refugees and asylum seekers live in refugee camps in Thailand. Refugees have no freedom to leave the camps. Inside the camps, people face overcrowding, widespread unemployment, a restricted diet, limited health care services, and lack opportunities for study and development. They live in fear of repatriation to Burma while the political climate is still insecure, and of attacks from the Burmese army and affiliated groups.
Another 200,000 people in Karen areas inside Burma have become internally displaced, hiding in the jungle in fear of the Burmese army. These IDPs struggle to survive, unable to work safely on their farms or go into the local villages, they are cut off from their daily livelihoods and lack basic services including education and health care.