Major difficulties of child care practices in refugee camps on Thai-Burma border

Abstract

This thesis examines how mothers take care of their children in the Mae La refugee camp and identifies major constraints faced by mothers in taking care of their children in the refugee camp. By examining this case study of Mae La camp, the researcher clarifies how difficult it is for mothers to take care of their under 5 year old children in the refugee camp given the limited resources and situation. The focal area of studies is in Zone B out of three Zones of the Mae La refugee camp which is one of the nine refugee camps located alongside the Thai-Burma border line. The study mainly focuses on current child care practices of mothers in the camp, their socio-economic background and available services for their children in the camp. In this study, the major approach is qualitative research methodology with both primary and secondary data. Secondary data are retrieved from sources of internet websites, academic books, articles and paper, although there have been a scarcity of sources in this area. In order to meet the objectives, different tools such as key informant interviews, direct observation (home visits) and in-depth interview, are used in order to understand major constraints and difficulties facing mothers in the setting of refugee camp. This thesis mainly argues that mothers have difficulties to take care of their children due to lack of knowledge, insufficient supply and income to meet their daily needs, unsafe environment and limitation of available services for their children as well as mothers' psycho social background. It also emphasizes the daily struggles of mothers to supplement their insufficient food and other needs by working inside or outside the camp in low-paid jobs in risky situation. Mothers whose husbands are working outside or inside the camp also have worries about their husbands' social misconduct which affect way of raising their children.