An Appeal for the Homeless Refugees

[brelief@xxxxxxx]

<bigger>AN APPEAL FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF

</bigger>

As all readers of BurmaNet know, and as others can learn from the report
below, Huay Kalok Refugee Camp in Mae Sot has been attacked and burned
for the second time by armed forces of the Burmese military junta.


Emergency relief will be critical to help the desperate and homeless
refugees.  Burmese Relief Center--Japan is appealing for donations. 
Contributions sent to us will be immediately transferred to Thailand to
help the refugees replace some of what they have lost.


Personal checks can be sent to:


Burmese Relief Center--Japan

2001 Missouri Avenue

Flint, MI 48506


Those in Japan can send their donations via postal transfer (yubin
furikae) to:


Account number:  01030-2-68650

Account name:      Ken Kawasaki


Receipts will be sent by post for all donations.


With metta,

Visakha and Ken


*   *  *


Update on the Burning Down of Huay Kalok Refugee Camp


Source: Karen Refugee Committee (KRC)

Time of Inquiry: 12-45 hours Thai Time


The burning down of Huay Kaloke aka Kawmoora Refugee camp, near Maesod
town on the Thai-Burma border, this morning (11-3-98)at about 1 a.m.(
Thai Time), is believed to be by a combined force of troops from the
Democratic Kayin Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the State Peace and Development
Council (SPDC)Army. The number of attackers who actually put the camp to
the torch is estimated to be 100 strong, divided into 3 groups. They
approached and entered the camp from the east side of the camp apparently
to avoid the Thai security guards of the Camp.


There was no report of clashes with or resistance by the Thai troops
guarding the camp. The attackers fired automatic rifles, rifle-launch
grenades and 60mm mortars. There are about 33 seriously wounded refugees,
some by bullets and some by fire. One pregnant woman and a child were
burnt to death. Apparently, they were first

wounded by gun fire and could run out of burning houses.


The Thai guards prevented entry of NGO personnel into the camp before the
arrival of the Thai 3rd Army higher-ups for inspection. However they
allowed the water delivery trucks of the KIC to enter the camp area.


It was said that not the entire camp was consumed by fire. Some houses
were left untouched by fire in Wards No. 6

and 7 which are near the Buddhist monastery of the camp. Of the 10 school
buildings, only 2 were burnt down. Since the camp is in a treeless area,
the refugees either have to huddle in the remaining school buildings and
the monastery or under shanty make-shifts, in order to hide from the
scorching sun, which is rather severe at this time of the year. The
population of the camp is 8,975, according to KRC monthly reports.

http://www2.gol.com/users/brelief/Index.htm