On July 24th, Ms. Nuchanat Raruen, PPAT Mae Sot Project Manager, Tak Province, represented the Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (PPAT) at a stakeholder progress meeting regarding the operations of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in all 9 temporary shelters for displaced persons from the Thai-Myanmar border conflict. These shelters cover areas in Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi provinces. The meeting was held at the Temporary Shelter for Displaced Persons from Myanmar at Baan Mae La, Tha Song Yang District, Tak Province.
The major issue discussed was the impact of budget cuts to the shelters and the deliberation of contingency plans to cope with these effects. Additionally, the meeting collectively called on the government to consider permitting displaced persons to work outside the shelters to: help alleviate labor shortages, reduce the financial burden of budget support, mitigate family violence issues that may arise within the centers.
During the meeting, there was a proposal and request for PPAT to expand its “Family Planning” activities to all 9 shelters to support the resolution of population issues and the provision of essential reproductive health care to the residents of the temporary shelters.
