NCUB PRESS RELEASE NO (13)

[lurie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

____________________________________________________________________________

N A T I O N A L   C O U N C U L   O F  T H E   U N I O N   O F   B U R M A
____________________________________________________________________________


			NCUB PRESS RELEASE No [13]

15 died from Cholera outbreak at Refugee camps in Kanchanaburi province, Non-Government Organisations denied access

								8 March, 1997

The conditions of  refugees who fled SLORC brutal offensive in KNU Brigade 4 area are worsening. These refugees were evacuated by Thai officials to Htaw Ma Pyo village on Burma side of the border and to the near-by camp on Thai side opposite Suan Phung in
  Ratchaburi province. According to the yesterday report from The border, 15 people died from currently occurring Cholera out-break which started on March  4, 1997.  

Refugees are facing with lack of adequate shelters, medicines and basic necessities because humanitarian aid organisations have been repeatedly prohibited by Thai border officials from visiting the refugee camps. In the absence of security and assistance,
 many refugees are attempting to leave the refugees camps for villages deeper inside Thailand. More than five refugees who attempted to run-away from the camps died yesterday in a car accident that resulted 21 deaths, in Kanchanaburi province. 

All Non Government Organisations (NGOs), journalists and even two U.S. embassy officials have been denied access to the refugee camps in Kanchanaburi province which is under the control of the Thai 9th Army. 

The NCUB is deeply concerned about the current situation of Karen refugees in these camps and appeals to the international community, especially the Royal Thai Government, to ensure security and assistance to Karen refugee camps in Kanchanaburi.



Information Committee
National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)