Scenario Injection 2: IDP and Refugee Relocation

INJECTION: IDP/REFUGEE RELOCATION (EVENT+4 WEEKS)

Typhoon 2009001 has forced hundreds of thousands to flee destroyed homes and raging flood water. IDP and refugee movement seems most pronounced along the borders of Thailand and Vietnam. Refugee camps have been established in Thailand and Vietnam with an IDP camp located in the southern tip of Vietnam which is not free from the ongoing effects of flooding and disease outbreaks (Figure 1). In the case of Vietnam, because it has a stronger economy and there is an established Cambodian community in the Mekong Delta region, there is an influx of typhoon refugees from Cambodia. The exact number is not known, but estimates are approximately 9 million have been moved on their own or with government assistance to IDP/refugee camps.

Vietnam and Thailand are expressing concern for the health and safety of these populations and the impact of these camps on regional security. International aid organizations have been asked to assist in the maintenance of the camps and to provide food/shelter for the influx of refugees. Additionally, increased social unrest due to the influx of refugees has been observed in cities in southern and central Vietnam where there has already been social, labor and religious based unrest.