Thailand pledges continued refugee healthcare despite US aid halt
Thailand’s government will maintain healthcare services for refugees following US President Donald Trump’s directive for a 90-day halt on foreign aid, which affects the financial support for refugee healthcare in the country.
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin stated yesterday, January 28, that approximately 100,000 refugees reside in nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border. He noted that international organisations assist in funding the operational costs of these camps.
“We will have to wait and see if there will be another announcement.”
This statement was made after reports from the BBC on January 27 highlighted the difficulties civil society groups encounter in initiating operations in refugee camps due to Trump’s policy announced last week.
A civil society representative in Mae Sot, located in northern Tak province, informed the broadcaster of a letter received on January 25. It indicated that the subsidy would only be paid until January 24, followed by an announcement of an 85-day suspension.
Due to a partial freeze in US funding, a refugee hospital within a camp reportedly had to reduce staff, leading to some patients leaving the hospital because of staff shortages.
Sunai Phasuk, an adviser to Human Rights Watch in Thailand, shared a letter on the X platform in Burmese, stating: “Devastating! The Trump administration’s suspension of foreign aid has resulted in the closure of field hospitals in refugee camps.”
Somsak assured that the Thai government is seeking a resolution to the issue. He emphasised, “We cannot abandon or chase them away since they have lived here in the camps for a long time.”
When questioned about the source of funds if the US government retracts financial support, Somsak mentioned that such a policy would only be temporary.
He acknowledged that while the Public Health Ministry is not the primary agency responsible for refugee care, they must ensure medical treatment for all people. “No matter who they are, we have to take care of them,” he stated.
Somsak further explained that the ministry’s focus extends beyond refugee healthcare, addressing issues like illegal entries, including refugees, illegal immigrants, and people awaiting nationality verification, totalling around 700,000 people, reported Bangkok Post.
“We cannot just talk about refugees who have been affected by Trump’s policies. All kinds of healthcare and assistance must be provided to other groups of people who live in this country.”
Latest Thailand News
