MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Smith
Australia will provide $1 million to improve conditions for refugees living in camps on the Thai-Burma border.
Australian assistance will be provided through the Thai Burma Border Consortium which provides food and shelter to the displaced people living in the camps.
These camps represent one of the world's longest running humanitarian crises. There are currently 140,000 people in the camps, many of whom have been there for more than two decades. They are unlikely to be able to return across the border to Burma in the near future.
Australia has provided over $6 million to the Consortium since 2003 through Act for Peace (formerly the National Council of Churches in Australia).
This assistance to the Consortium is in addition to the $8 million Australia has already provided this year to improve the living conditions of the Rohingya people living in Burma and in camps on the Burma-Bangladeshi border.
Media Contacts:
Mr Smith's Office: Courtney Hoogen 02 6277 7500 or 0488 244901
Departmental : AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590