In early June 2009, the Burma Army and its proxy forces attacked Karen villages along the Thailand/Burma border. This onslaught forced thousands of Burmese Karen to flee for their lives into neighboring Thailand, crossing the western border between Mae Sot and Mae Sariang.

Operation Blessing (OB) and a number of other NGO’s, responded in a coordinated relief effort to help meet the urgent needs of these IDP’s (Internally Displaced People), many of whom arrived in Thailand with barely the clothes on their backs.

On the 16th June 2009, Operation Blessing staff climbed up to a temporary refugee camp near Mae U Su Cave, and distributed mosquito nets for 1,090 refugees to help prevent the spread of malaria, dengue fever and other mosquito borne diseases amongst the 166 families.

Later that same day, OB provided blankets, shoes, cane mats, mosquito nets and health masks for 95 Karen children and 33 other IDP’s, sheltering at the Safe Haven Orphanage. Many of these children fled across the river from their school in Burma when they learned of the oncoming attacks. Sixteen year old Wenchu said, “I haven’t heard anything from my parents. I hope to return to my village as soon as possible, but I need to wait until it is safe and the fighting stops.”

At the time of writing, these attacks continue. Please remember to pray for the innocent victims caught in the middle of this conflict, and that peace and restoration will come for all people in Burma.