Thai-Burma Border — Humanitarian organizations are sounding the alarm over a looming food crisis that threatens the lives of  87,000 refugees living in camps along the Thai-Burma border. With reports circulating that USAID may halt all food assistance, the future for thousands of families—many of whom fled ethnic persecution and armed conflict in Myanmar—is hanging by a thread.

For decades, USAID has been a lifeline for these refugees, providing essential food through trusted partners like The Border Consortium (TBC). Now, that lifeline is at risk of being cut, leaving families with no reliable source of food, no legal ability to work, and nowhere safe to return to.

“These camps are filled with people who have already lost everything—homes, loved ones, their country. If the international community walks away now, we are condemning them to hunger, desperation, and potentially forcing them back into conflict zones.”- Alexa Pham, Daughters Rising Co-Founder

The refugees, mostly from the Karen, Karenni, and other ethnic minority groups, remain in legal limbo. Movement restrictions and limited access to jobs mean they rely almost entirely on food aid to survive. Without USAID support:

• Families will face immediate food shortages and malnutrition.
• Children and the elderly will be especially vulnerable to hunger-related illness.
• Desperation could push people to return to unsafe areas of Myanmar or risk dangerous migration routes where exploitation, trafficking, and arrest are constant threats.

Humanitarian organizations and border communities are already stretched thin, and without urgent action, they cannot fill the funding gap left by USAID.

“It’s really sad for us. Things are just out of our hands, and i don’t know what the future holds. There’s no food, no chance to work and earn a living. Life’s not easy, it’s scary to even think about going back home. There’s no safe way forward, not even here in Thailand. We’ve done everything we could, but we’re stuck in the same cycle of stress and uncertainty every single day.” Naw Daymu, A refugee in Mae La Camp

A Call for Global Solidarity

Aid groups are urging the U.S. government and international donors to reconsider. They are calling for:

✔ Continued and increased food assistance to prevent mass hunger.
✔ International cooperation to fill funding gaps.
✔ Support for livelihood opportunities to allow refugees to meet basic needs with dignity.
✔ Pressure on regional governments to protect refugee rights and safety.

“This isn’t just about food—it’s about survival, dignity, and hope, We urge the media, policymakers, and the public to shine a light on this crisis before it’s too late.” Alexa Pham

Media Inquiries:

For interviews, photos, or more information, please contact:
Alexandra Pham | 0869230867 | ChaiLaiOrchidFoundation@gmail.com