On June 9, 2022, Mr Derek Chollet, Advisor to the US Department of State travelled to Thailand and met up with Mr Michael Heath, Acting US Ambassador, following the NGO projects that are funded by the US government in Tak Province. The Governor of Tak Mr Somchai Kitcharoenrungroj and relevant government agencies welcomed.
The projects help the Myanmar refugees at Ban Mae La Temporary Shelter in Tha Song Yang District, Tak Province, providing assistance in health, food security and other areas, giving political prisoners fleeing Myanmar the opportunity to create a better future with careers and stable income and a better quality of life.
On this occasion, State Department advisers and colleagues heard about the obstacles and the need for action. Refugee caregivers from various fields, including visiting the area, to monitor the operations of NGOs, hospitals and schools in the asylum area as information for problem-solving; while praising Thailand’s cooperation in trying to help refugees in various fields.
The Mae La Temporary Shelter Area is one of 9 temporary shelter areas in Thailand. Currently, residing at Ban Mae La, there are 13 tribes inhabited by Karen, Burmese, Kachin, Mon, Karenni, Shan, Lichu, Rakhine, Chin, Lahu, Naga, Somi, and Po-o; of 12,675 from Myanmar, additional 15,233 people living in the Ban Mae La Temporary Shelter, totalling 27,908 people.