Kantarawaddy Times
At Karenni Refugee Camp No. 2 (Ban Mae Surin) along the Thai-Myanmar border, residents are already facing an 80% reduction in food aid. There is also growing concern that nutritional supplements currently provided to pregnant women, postpartum mothers, and young children may also be cut in the near future.
The main food aid provider, The Border Consortium (TBC), has suspended full food support from April to July, for 4 months.
While support for pregnant and postpartum women and young children hasn’t yet been stopped, there are fears it could be next, according to Nurse Nae Meh, a health officer at the camp’s maternal and child healthcare unit.
“I worry about whether we’ll have enough supplies in the future. Right now, three children in the clinic are suffering from malnutrition. Will this number increase? It’s concerning. Our camp is far from town, the roads are bad, and food is scarce. That’s what worries us,” she said.
Currently, pregnant and postpartum women receive additional items such as beans, oil, and other services. Children between six months and two years of age are regularly provided with nutritional supplements.
Residents in the refugee camp have no regular source of income and are not allowed to leave the camp to work. Due to financial hardship, many cannot afford to purchase sufficient and nutritious food. If pregnant women and children are unable to access adequate nutrition, it could lead to malnutrition symptoms such as stunted growth, weakened immunity, delayed brain development, and underweight issues in children, according to a health worker.
“Pregnant women need enough nutrition because the full development of the fetus depends on the mother’s diet and lifestyle. If the mother’s nutrition is lacking, it can negatively affect the child. Babies may be born underweight or premature. Mothers also need proper nutrition after giving birth to ensure the baby’s healthy growth,” a health worker said.
She added that pregnant women and children should regularly consume supplements, vitamins, milk, and dairy-based food products.
According to records from the camp’s health clinic, there are about 80 pregnant and postpartum mothers and young children at Karenni Refugee Camp No. 2.
Due to changes in the U.S. presidency, funding for refugee aid has been suspended. That is why the International Rescue Committee (IRC) temporarily halted many of its healthcare services. This has caused additional hardship for refugee populations across the Thai-Myanmar border.
