Over 100,000 Myanmar refugees in Thailand lose essential support amid Trump administration funding cuts

More than 100,000 Myanmar refugees living in camps along the Thai-Myanmar border have lost access to vital food and medical assistance following US funding cuts, creating a life-threatening humanitarian crisis.

The Trump administration's dismantling of foreign aid programs, combined with donor shortfalls, forced the termination of food assistance from The Border Consortium (TBC) and primary healthcare services from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) across nine border camps on July 31, 2025.

Monthly allowances plummeted to just 77 baht ($2.30) per adult in early 2025, with food aid completely cut for over 80% of families by July. The funding reductions, ongoing since January, have already resulted in refugee deaths, according to Human Rights Watch.

"These refugees are desperate to provide for their families and, if the government lets them, can contribute to Thailand's economy," said Shayna Bauchner, Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The camps, established since the mid-1980s for those fleeing Myanmar military offensives, now shelter over 107,000 refugees. Camp populations have grown 35% since Myanmar's 2021 military coup forced over one million people to flee.

Refugees report increased malnutrition in children under five, rising crime including theft, declining school attendance as children work to support families, and growing drug abuse among youth. Two women paid smugglers 15,000 baht to reach Bangkok, risking trafficking and exploitation.

Thailand's National Security Council has proposed measures to address the crisis, but the Interior Ministry has yet to announce any official policy changes. Human Rights Watch urges Thailand to grant refugees legal work rights outside camps and calls for donor countries to fill urgent funding gaps.