Members of the Rangoon-based Kachin Peace Network say much more needs to be done to help Kachin internally displaced persons (IDPs) both in Burma and China.
The KPN just returned from fact finding mission to several camps in Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) controlled territories. They were joined by the Myanmar Times and several other groups from Rangoon.
The purpose of the KPN’s trip was to collect information in order to raise awareness about the estimated 75,000 people who have displaced from the conflict.
KPN leader Slg. Maran Jaw Gun hopes the trip can help encourage other organizations to get involved.
“During this trip we could not provide much aid. However we can raise attention about the IDPs’ situation. Currently some organizations that also joined the trip are reportedly gathering food and supplies for the Kachin IDPs. When we visited the camps we saw people facing many hardships. The rainy season is making life even harder for the IDPs”, said Maran Jaw Gun.
According to Ma Sape Phyu, the KPN visited Hpunglum Yang, Je Yang, Woi Chyai, N’Hkawng Pa, Pa Kahtawng, and Lah Ying IDPs camps from July 4 to 12. They also donated about Burmese kyat 7,700,000 (US$8,790) to the IDPs Camp Committee.
Ma Sape Phyu said the bamboo houses in the camps are overcrowded with as many as 12 people living in them. There is not much space for schools in the camp. Teachers are holding classes in sleeping areas or on a mat on the ground. There is very little if any reading material for the students.
The KPN also met with KIO Joint Secretary-2 Lah Nan, Vice Chief-of-Staff Brig-Gen Gun Maw, IDP Assistance Committee members, IDP Management Committee members and media groups during their visit to KIA-controlled territories.
After the youth group returned to Rangoon, also known as Yangon they organized a press conference in Kamayut Township, Yangon Division on July 16 to report what they saw during their visit to the IDPs camps. The press conference was attended by about 50 people including 10 people who participated in the fact finding mission. The rest were journalists and concerned citizens. There were an estimated 20 different journalists in attendance.
The KPN was started by twenty Kachin youth on May 2, 2012 to raise awareness about the situation in Kachin state.
