This is Mae La, Thailand...

A few years ago I spent some time in a refugee camp for indigenous Burmese fleeing across the border into Thailand, so when I found this film below on a similar camp a few hours north, I felt compelled to share.

Established in 1984, the Mae La refugee camp in Thailand is home to over 50,000 Burmese refugees, of which over 90% are of indigenous Karen.

The continual atrocities of the Burmese military on indigenous people is horrific - displacing tens of thousands every year. Many of the children in these camps have seen their homes torched, their families killed, and are forced to rebuild their lived from scratch with the help of those around them.

With little or no help from the Thai Government, many of these camps exist with support from local communities, as well as independent and international aid programs. If you ever have the opportunity to help those fleeing the places they once called home (whether through finance, or simply, the way you vote), then do so.

Situated on the picturesque Thai-Burma border, the Mae La refugee camp is home to more than 50,000 Burmese people who have fled the military regime of Burma. The Camp (2010) illustrates the lives of people who are dislocated, without international status and without a voice. Set to a haunting soundtrack, this film presents the everyday realities of life in the camp. Some of the refugees hope to see life beyond their self-made community. Others simply embrace each day as it comes. Screened at: London Short Film Festival 2012; London International Documentary Festival 2011; Awareness Film Festival 2012; etc. More info here: soulrebelfilms.com/project

Feature image by Virginie Martin-Onraët.