Contact: Vanessa Parra
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First Lady Laura Bush Visit Highlights Need for Aid to Burmese
Washington, D.C. - First Lady Laura Bush's visit to Thailand's Mae La camp, which houses thousands of Burmese refugees, emphasizes the need for continued humanitarian aid for all the people of Burma, Refugees International said today. Burmese refugees in Thailand are facing a protracted encampment that must be resolved. And for millions of Burmese still living at home, humanitarian conditions, especially after Cyclone Nargis, continue to worsen. Economic hardship and widespread persecution will lead many to flee to camps in Thailand like Mae La, but millions more will stay home.
"For too long, the Bush Administration has focused its Burma policy on political goals with little attention to the suffering of those who live under the regime," said Ken Bacon, president of Refugees International. "The U.S. response to Cyclone Nargis represented a major about-face in this attitude, but we are in danger of losing the gains achieved by this excellent work."
The United Nations and aid agencies working inside the country report steady progress in accessing disaster affected areas after the cyclone, readily increasing the number of people receiving aid. However, the Administration has not requested funds in the 2009 budget to continue assistance beyond the end of this year. Refugees International urges increased support for the experienced agencies operating inside the country, and urges the President and First Lady to state their commitment to sustained humanitarian assistance inside Burma.
"Refugees International hopes that the visit by the President and First Lady will result in a strengthened commitment by the Administration to address the basic needs of Burmese, regardless of where they live," continued Bacon. "The First Lady wants to support the Burmese people. Now is the time to show that support by providing sustained humanitarian assistance."
The U.S. has also made significant progress with Burmese refugee populations in Thailand, resettling over 15,000 this year. However, for many Burmese who do not want to be resettled, resources are under increased strain as countries pull back support for the camps. The U.S. should not only reaffirm its commitment to skills training and income generation projects for these communities, but should continue to work with the Thai government to encourage a durable solution for Burmese refugees and migrants in Thailand, including work authorization, freedom of movement, and a path to self-reliance.
Refugees International is a Washington, DC-based organization that advocates to end refugee crises. In February and March of 2008 staff members of the organization traveled to Burma to assess the humanitarian situation inside the country. For more information, go to www.refugeesinternational.org/burma.
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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
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