Anglican Communion News Service

Mae La refugee camp on the Burma-Thailand border, which is home to more than 2,000 Anglicans and 23,000 other refugees, came under military attack from across the Thai-Burma border recently, threatening a truce which has lasted for nearly a year.

Mae La is one of the main camps at the centre of Anglican outreach work from Christ Church, Bangkok, Thailand. Three times recently military units, presumed to belong to the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army and supported by the Burmese military government, crossed the border into Sho Klo, Wanka Ka and Don Pa Kiang refugee camps, firing mortars and burning down hundreds of refugee huts. Seven thousand refugees have been left homeless.

During a further raid, into Mae La camp on 28 January, the invading force ran into Thai military forces outside the camp perimeter and a skirmish broke out. Fifteen houses were burnt down.

The Karen Refugee Committee later released a statement which said that many residents in the camps were in panic and have fled to places which they believed to be more secure.

Christ Church Bangkok Karen Outreach Committee chairperson, Anette Lemonius, has appealed for international Anglican agencies around the world to stand with their brothers and sisters during this crisis. The continuing prayers, financial and other support is always requested.

Article from: Anglican Encounter, Australia