No. 56 / 2557

On 19 March 2014 at 15.30 hrs., Mr. David Miliband, President and CEO of International Rescue Committee (IRC) and former Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkaew, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, to discuss Thailand’s policy towards the displaced persons from Myanmar under the care of the Thai Government.

IRC is a major International Non-Governmental Organization based in New York with offices in over 40 countries around the world. In Thailand, IRC has been providing assistance to various groups of people since 1976. Today, IRC is 1 of 21 INGOs providing humanitarian assistance to displaced persons from Myanmar residing in 9 temporary shelters along the Thai-Myanmar Border. IRC’s main contributions range from medical assistance to legal counseling and resettlement to the United States.

Mr. Miliband used this opportunity to extend appreciation to the Thai Government for her generosity in taking care of the displaced persons over the past 3 decades. Both sides also exchanged views and recommendations for future undertakings, including the importance of continued humanitarian assistance, development assistance especially human development, and various preparations on both sides of the border.