Jobless in Their Own Land

They came in military and dump truckloads. They came in bus. They came in pickups. They just keep coming. Thousands… Old men, young men, old women, babies, young girls and boys, nursing mothers. Oh, the sight was heart-crushing. 

This mass deportation is Thailand’s Martial Law government’s attempt to get rid of their country of undocumented migrant workers. Unofficial reports said these workers were given 10 days to go home to their own countries or they will be shot on sight. Now, who wouldn’t be on his feet to get out of there? Their bags showed that they didn’t have much time to pack their things. They took their valuables and boarded in government-provided vehicles where every space was optimized to accommodate these thousands of Cambodians fleeing Thailand.

Samaritan's Purse Cambodia was among the first to respond to the emergency. They set up a tent and gave out what was readily available in the stores - bread and water. Eventually as more people poured in, more relief goods (meal packs, noodles soup, hygiene kits, milk, juice, etc) also came in. While the people at the Poipet border roundabout were overwhelming, the help from private individuals was equally awesome. We could see private vehicles just came in bringing food. Churches and private organizations coordinate to provide manpower. Everybody has something to do to help.

It was also a good time to share the love of God through gospel tracts. I believe that while we do humanitarian efforts, the chance to share God's love through Jesus Christ through His Word is as important as the food we give. The tracts, however, were not given together with the food lest the help be construed negatively. They were distributed widely among the bystanders and given to those who were interested.

I am not really adept on the current political situation of Thailand aside from its being under Martial Law. But my mind keeps asking how does the Cambodian government react to this? Needless to say these people are illegal aliens and shouldn’t really be working in Thailand. But is the Cambodian government ready to provide these people jobs in their own country? And what happens to the businesses in Thailand that are suddenly crippled? How do these businessmen react to their government?

Right now people still keep pouring in. The Cambodian government has provided trucks to bring them to the provinces. I have no idea if these people have homes to go. But one thing is sure, they are jobless here for it was the very reason why they ventured into a foreign land.