It is hard to describe the desperation of the displaced Karen, in a world that is profoundly compassion fatigued.
The Karen people are an ethnic group without an officially recognized country of their own. We're talking about 5 million people, which is roughly the population on New Zealand, just for perspective's sake. Karen State, in the mountains of Eastern Burma, is their country and has been fiercely defended against the Burmese military during the last 73 years on an ongoing civil war.
In the last weeks and post Burmese military coup on February 3rd, there have again been airstrikes against the Karen people, with hundreds killed and tens of thousands displaced.
Where do the Karen people go?
In the past, the United Nations have sponsored and supported refugee camps on the Thai side of the border. However, in the last 2 years, many of those camps have been closed an the United nations has withdrawn food aid. Which leaves these latest groups of displaced Karen people fending for themselves in rugged dry-season land-mined jungle, with no shelter, no food, no reliable clean drinking water away from the open river, and no medical care. The majority of the displaced Karen are officially stateless, meaning they have no official identity and are not recognized by any country. And this makes them especially vulnerable.
Basically, they hide in the rugged jungles and try to find their way to safety of any sort, usually in Thailand. Needless to say, developing Thailand is in no way positioned to host or support MILLIONS of refugees arriving without language, money, documents or any familial connections. Added to those issues is the fact that without medical care, many of them are sick, carrying with them tuberculosis and other serious diseases (which frankly makes Covid look like the least of their's, or anyone's problems).
What does a Karen jungle camp look like?
Photo Credit: Partners Relief & Development
Photo Credit: Johny Adhikari
The update I received last evening - Wednesday 14th April, is as follows:
At this moment, some AID relief IS getting through, thanks to some tireless individuals and the support of the Thai military,
But we are in urgent need of more funds to buy rice, simple non-perishable food stuffs and medicines.
We? Yes. Myself and my Thai company, Pure Thai Natural Co Ltd, not only seek to create employment for Karen people, but we are active in the relief efforts in whatever ways are needed. Because we believe in a different, more compassionate and more collaborative world. Yesterday, I appealed to my mainstream social media friends for cash to move the relief efforts forward. Today, I'm inviting the enlightened humans using the Hive blockchain, to do likewise.
Today, Thursday 15th April, individuals are risking their lives to bring yet another consignment of rice, medicines and basic food-stuffs across river into Eastern Burma. It's dangerous and illegal, and yet our humanity REQUIRES this response.
As soon as they are able, they will be going again, and will need goods to deliver. If you have funds to spare, we INVITE you to join us and contribute.
If you are in Thailand or use Transferwise, bank details as follows:
Kasikorn Bank, Thailand
Branch: Chang Klan, Chiang Mai
Account Name: Mr Barlar Krishna
Account Number: 056-8-52642-2
if you have a PAYPAL account, the email address is [email protected]
If you would like to contribute Hive, you CAN but need to understand that the cost of removing Hive to turn it to Thai baht is not insignificant. Currently I'm losing around $100 to sell Hive to BTC and then withdraw to coins.co.th and then withdraw that as Thai baht. My business also gets taxed for that. 😆 It's doable and I'm prepared to make that happen if the Hive donated makes it worth that.
The greatest needs are rice and noodles, basics like salt and oil, drinking water, plastic sheeting and tents, fundamentals like bowls and cups, and - of course - medicines. Many of the displaced or injured and/or sick.
I'm honored to connect with astounding individuals who BELIEVE in metta and humanity and the idea that We Are One.
I can't, in conscience, post about anything else on Hive today KNOWING that friends and colleagues urgently need support to keep doing the amazing, life-changing work they do.
If you are able to give, or at least reblog this post, I would be grateful.
One Love.
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I really sorry to hear that this is happening again to the Karen people, it's maddening really. Thank you for being a voice for them and for all the work that you do. Hive is all that I have available right now, I have resteemed this post and also from Abundance.Tribe account x but please let me know if you get a good enough amount to reason a withdrawal xxxxx
The reblogs are hugely appreciated @trucklife-family - if one person reads the reblog and gives then it helps. It's an ongoing 73 year civil war - the airstrikes are renewed since the last coup, but the violence and the displacement of the Karen people has never stopped. The land they occupy is in demand by China for strategic reasons, gas, gold and timber - and so they supply the Burmese army with weapons and planes to do the dirty work.
It is pure evil.
Promise I will let you knw if I receive enough for justifying the cost of a withdrawal.
!ENGAGE 25
Please let me know also @artemislives, It is very sad to hear their ordeal :( I wish they find some peace and help needed comes to them.
Reblogged
ENGAGEtokens.Thank you for raising awareness about the Karen people. I was just telling my children, the fact that we have food to eat and shelter above our head already means we are rich. Bless you for your efforts. ❤️
The developed world has become so disconnected from people who simply don't have the basics of clean water, shelter or food. Or safety. How much we take for grated! Thanks for being an awesome mama and making sure your kids confront this reality.
!ENGAGE 20
ENGAGEtokens.Sad to hear this. Reblog done.
Thank you for helping them. Bless your heart. You inspire many.
Really appreciating the reblog, @sherylneil - thank you.
Just doing my best to be a contributing human in the place I find myself.
!ENGAGE 15
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Oh no. Poor them. You did a great job. Wish them overcome the difficulty soon.
I'm sorry to hear of this tragedy! My Husband has been following the news about the coup in Burma for he has spent a lot of time there and has connections there - it breaks his heart to see this happening to a place he loves.
I can only image how heart breaking it must be to you to see this happening once again to the folks you have become quite close too.
Bless your caring heart for being a support to the Karens!
I sent some funds via Paypal. I can send some Hive (20 is what I have available right now) if it is helpful. Let me know