Karen refugees flee across the border to Thailand after attacks by the Burmese Army on their villages.

MAE U SU CAVE, Thailand - When 16-year-old Wenchu arrived at school one early June morning, he had no idea he’d be fleeing for his life.

He and other school children were going about their day in rural Burma when they learned of attacks by the Burma Army on their Karen villages that line the country's western border.

The river separating Burma from Thailand proved to be the best chance of survival these children had. They forded the river alone, not knowing if their families or neighbors had survived the attacks.

“I haven't heard anything from my parents,” Wenchu said.

Like most other Burmese Karen refugees who fled their country in early June, they had little more than the clothes on their back.

On the other side of the river, they found a safe haven — literally. Safe Haven Orphanage provided shelter for the children, as they waited for news of the fighting and their families. Operation Blessing staff journeyed to the shelter on June 16 and distributed blankets, shoes, cane mats, mosquito nets, and health masks for 95 such children, and over 30 other internally displaced people.

Operation Blessing supplied mosquito nets to more than 1,000 refugees as well as distributed other supplies such as blankets, shoes and mats to refugee children being housed at a Thailand shelter.

The mosquito nets are particularly imperative to survival in the Burma/Thailand region. Although the Burma Army and its proxy forces are dangerous, the common mosquito can be just as deadly. Malaria, dengue fever, and other mosquito borne diseases travel quickly and easily in refugee camps.

In the temporary refugee camp located near Mae U Su Cave, Operation Blessing was also able to provide over 1,000 refugees with the necessary nets. OBI staff worked in cooperation with other non-governmental organizations to meet the needs of these displaced people. With ongoing fighting in the region, it is hard to say when the refugees will be able to return to their homes and their families.

“I hope to return to my village as soon as possible,” said Wenchu, “But I need to wait until it is safe and the fighting stops.”

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