On Monday, September 2nd, 2002, a powerful flash flood and landslide, trigged by heavy rains, ripped through the Mae Khong Ka refugee camp in the Mae Sariang district in Thailand. The camp housed 15,574 Karen refugees. Estimated 200 houses were destroyed and tens of refugees were killed with many still missing. Some of the victims were found as far as 8 miles downstream from the camp as the flood waters reached nearly 13 feet high.

The devastation caused by the flood has left many Karen refugees without adequate shelter and desperately needing basic necessities such as food, clothing and medicine for their immediate survival. Although a few NGOs and the Thai Government have stepped up to the plate to deliver assistance, not all the urgent needs of the refugees have been met. The refugees could still use more clothes, food, and utilities such as stoves to cook on and lamps to help see at night. The devastation of the flood has been especially hard on the children, some of whom had perished in the flood waters. They are needing nourishment and clothes to protect them from the elements.

You can help by sending your money to help purchase the items that the refugees need. The items purchased with your donations will be delivered to the refugees by the Karen Youth Organization(KYO) members who have access to the camp. Your donation doesn't necesarily have to be large, although the more you contribute the better of couse. A western dollar goes a long way in Thailand. Please send your much needed donations to the following address with indication of the name you would like to have appear on the donor list(real or fictitious name):

In Americas and Europe Karen National League ......... P.O Box 320518.................... San Francisco, CA 94132 USA.....................................................

(Please make checks Payable to "Saw Yoh". Please write "flood relief "on top of the check. )

In Australia KYO Australia ...... ........... 2/316 Merrylands Rd. .......... Merrylands, NSW 2160.... Australia..................................... Attn: Saw Ehtaw Ray

(Please make checks payable to "Saw Ehtaw Ray")

In New Zealand Mary Win John .................... 1 Cadness Street . Northcote..................... Auckland 1310................. New Zealand

(Please make checks payable to "Mary Win John")

 

In Japan Saw Klo Htoo................... No. 101 Kopo Ishigawakita Shinjuku 1-25-20 ....... Shinjuku-Ku .................... Tokyo T 169 ......................... Japan

(Please make checks payable to "Saw Klo Htoo")

 

If you have any questions about this relief effort or the refugees, please feel free to contact us at KNLCOMM@AOL.COM