MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Australian non-government organisations to assist Burmese refugees living in camps along the border between Thailand and Burma. Funds will be provided through AusAID's humanitarian relief program
The Australian Government is aware of the strain placed on Thai Government resources due to the presence of the large numbers of Burmese refugees in their country and is prepared to assist where necessary to help alleviate the situation.
It is encouraging to note the continued assistance the Thai Government provides to these unfortunate people caught up in the internal conflict back in their homeland. We encourage Thailand to continue this assistance until a solution can be found in resulting in their safe return to Burma.
We also encourage the Burmese Government to improve human rights issues in their country, which is the underlying cause of the outpouring of so many people seeking the sanctuary of these camps.
The Australian Government funding will provide assistance to some 110,000 refugees composed largely of Karen ethnic minority but also the Mon and Karenni peoples. The funds will be disbursed as follows.
Medecins Sans Frontieres will receive $900,000 over three years to improve the health status of refugees by controlling communicable diseases and improving sanitation conditions in the camps. Activities will include a malaria control program, training and supervision of local medics and nurses, public health education and an expanded program of immunisation.
The National Council of Churches in Australia will receive up to $3 million over three years for its project to provide food and basic commodities such as blankets and mosquito nets to people living in the refugee camps.
Australia has provided over $5 million in the past five years through the aid program towards assisting people living the refugee camps.
Media contacts:
Innes Willox (Minister's Office) 02 6277 7500 / 0419 206 890
Matt Francis (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0417 683 126