There are approximately 140,000 ethnic-minority refugees, who have fled human rights abuses in Burma, living in Thailand’s nine camps along the Thai-Burma border. They are dependent on subsistence-level humanitarian assistance and the majority have limited or no means to provide for themselves and their families. They are dependent on nutritionally inadequate monthly rations, and there is a lack of space in crowded camps for refugees to produce vegetables and livestock. As a result, between 5–40 per cent of refugees seek work outside camp confines to earn enough money to buy fresh food and other essential household goods such as clothing and medicine, exposing them to greatly increased levels of vulnerability and personal risk. Any refugee caught outside his or her camp is considered an illegal migrant and liable to arrest and deportation.
Um Phiem Camp. Thai-Burma Border
As security is a well-known barrier to women’s livelihoods, home-based cottage industry can provide income in a safe environment, while also allowing women to care for children
Many refugees have been forced to live in camps on the Thai-Burma border for as many as 17 years with no durable solution in sight. The lack of economic opportunity often results in increases in domestic violence and alcohol abuse. Women also face particular risks such as resorting to harmful behaviour to survive, including prostitution and trading sex for food. Livelihood strategies, such as income-generation training, food-for-work programs, self-employment opportunities and business start-up programs, can play an important part in reducing these risks.
Children at Um Phiem Refugee Camp
Weftshop Gallery