_ by May K Ng

Thai government is not allowing the Shan ethnic displaced from Burma by Burmese army’s attempted genocide to gain official refugee status. The Shan people are suffering and they are in great danger of being wiped out, especially if Salween Dam is built and the people are trapped on either side of the water. They need UN recognition as refugees; and in the immediate term, to receive humanitarian help. Please gather all your talents in politics, financial, fund raising, or anything to help.

          I took the above photo in a new refugee camp. I have found two families from two camps with similar birth defects which could have been from chemicals similar to agent orange type used by Burmese junta with the excuse of eliminating opium farming. I was not thinking about it until now. To see unheard off birth defects as common sight here.

Another young child in her sister’s arms has no fingers or toes.

          And, look at the photos, below.

The man with only one leg— lost his other leg while tending the livestock near the Bumese army camp and he finally had to escape with his young families from army’s forced portering.

The woman with her son has lost her husband and as you can see it on her face, is having a very hard time. The child looks severely malnourished.

The girl has been afflicted with probably Polio.

This camp has not been able to vaccinate children. UN has not given them such assistance.