Ministry, TBC staff up to help refugees
PUBLISHED: 15 Feb 2025 at 04: 00
In accordance with humanitarian guidelines, the Ministry of Interior and The Border Consortium ( TBC ) in Thailand will work together to establish temporary refugee camps along Myanmar’s border.
Chettha Mosikrat, the deputy interior minister, and Leon Henri Marie de Riedmatten, the TBC’s director in Thailand, spoke about plans to give temporary refugee camps to people fleeing Myanmar’s border conflict.
According to the Office of the National Security Council ( NSC ) guidelines for providing humanitarian assistance, Mr. Chettha emphasized that the Interior Ministry plays a significant role in addressing the needs of refugees from the neighboring nation, while the TBC provides the camps with food, shelter, and essential services to maintain the quality of life for refugees.
He said,” I’d like to thank the TBC for its constant assistance in providing care for refugees affected by the war in Myanmar.”
According to the humanitarian law, the Interior Ministry is prepared to work with TBC and other important organizations to provide help.
Mr Chettha said the government will even discuss these issues with other officials, including the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the NSC, to tackle long-term options.
In a related development, public health minister Somsak Thepsutin said he met with Thailand’s Jos Vandelaer on Monday to talk about the health issues brought on by the United States ‘ three-month suspension of financial support for the International Rescue Committee ( IRC ).
This suspension affects seven migrant camps in four Thai provinces, notably Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Tak and Mae Hong Son, Mr Somsak said.
The temporary end, aimed at allowing the US to examine its international policy, has increased the medical problem on Thailand’s public health system, he said.
Mr. Somsak claimed that the WHO had expressed fears about the management of sanitation, disease outbreaks, and the immigrants ‘ general medical needs.
He said Thailand was also seeking the WHO’s support to ensure continued healthcare for refugees, including a request for US$ 3 million ( 100.1 million baht ) annually.
According to a source, the Interior Ministry, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees ( UNHCR ), and various non-governmental organizations ( NGOs ) have all been in charge of the temporary refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border.