Many of the displaced say they are afraid to return
BANGKOK, 29 April 2011 (IRIN) - One day after a ceasefire was reached between Thailand and Cambodia, more than 50,000 displaced civilians on both sides of the disputed border remain in temporary shelters, afraid to go home, aid workers say.
"Families will not return home before tomorrow. They need to be sure they will be safe," Leena Kamarainen, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Cambodian country office, told IRIN.
More than 26,000 people in four camps in Cambodia's northern Oddor Meanchey Province [the actual number of displaced people on the Cambodian side are 45,200 people], and 31,500 in Thailand's 27 camps in northeastern Surin and Buriram provinces, will continue to receive relief kits and food from the Red Cross.
"The ceasefire is no grounds for return yet," said Patrick Fox, head of regional disaster management of the IFRC in Bangkok. The fighting, which began on 22 April, is the second time this year that the two neighbours have clashed over the Preah Vihear temple, resulting in the displacement of tens of thousands on both sides.
dm/ds/mw
Theme (s): Conflict, Refugees/IDPs,
[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]
No comments:
Post a Comment