UN Agency Calls For Urgent Access To Myanmar Refugees

The UN’s refugee agency called for Thailand to allow them urgent access to more than 3,000 Myanmar refugees who fled to the kingdom to escape fighting in a conflict-wracked Karen state. <br />The UNHCR says 700 refugees crossed the river into Thailand’s Tak province on Thursday, fleeing artillery shelling and small arms fire. <br />UNHCR and NGOs have requested urgent access to the refugees to ascertain and deliver to them the necessary humanitarian and protection assistance. <br />Provincial authorities say about 3,500 refugees remain in two locations on the Thai side, as dozens have gradually returned since fighting appeared to have ceased.