Karen and Karenni refugees face starvation as daily rations slashed to mere 10 US cents

Mizzima

A total of 20 NGOs warn that 108,000 refugees—predominantly Karen and Karenni people—living in camps along the Thailand-Burma border now face an imminent humanitarian crisis following devastating cuts to their already meager food rations.

In a statement issued on 7 May, the primarily Karen and Karenni NGOs say the situation has become dire: rations for children under 5 years old will be reduced to just 53 Thai Baht (approximately $1.50) per month—a mere 5 US cents per day for food. Those over 5 years old will receive only 87 Thai Baht (about $2.40) monthly, equating to 8 US cents daily per person. Even before these drastic reductions, food provisions were already below the minimum required for survival.