"The Myanmar Red Cross is providing families with food and other items that were funded by public cash donations," said Bart Vermeiren, deputy head of the ICRC delegation in Burma. "It made arrangements for transport and shared the cost with our organization, which also donated blankets and winter clothing," Vermeiren said.

It is unclear if the Red Cross was allowed to visit Nhka Ga villager where in September and October of last year dozens of residents were barred from leaving the village by Burma military authorities, an order that reportedly came directly from Tun Tun Naung, who serves regional commander.

When the Kachin conflict resumed in June 2011 fighting between the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and the military was largely confined to other parts of the state, but in August of last year repeated clashes erupted in the area.

Government troops fighting in Putao district were supported by a local militia group led by Kachin businessman Ahdang (also Danggu Tang) from the Rawng subgroup. The fighting was widely believed to be directly linked to the army's desire to control the lucrative timber and mining concessions in Putao, and involved Burmese billionaire Tay Za and his firm Htoo Trading.

At the time that the fighting broke out last year, Tay Za was funding a mountain climbing team to scale Gamlang Razi. The team, which included five Americans and one Burmese national were the first ever climbers to reach the mountain’s summit. It was the same time that hundreds of villagers were displaced by fighting in nearby township. Later the climbers praised Tay Za at a press conference in Rangoon that celebrated their achievement.

“Words can't express my gratitude for the generosity and kindness provided by Chairman U Tay Za, Htoo foundation, and the countless individuals that came together to support the Gamlang Razi Expedition” climber and photographer Chris Nance wrote in a posting on the expedition group's Facebook page.