The Young Mizo Association (YMA) Champhai branch in Mizoram state of northeast India has come forward and plans to offer relief material to Chin people facing acute food shortage, northwestern Burma.
The YMA executive committee from Champhai sub-headquarter has decided to help the victims of food crisis from the villages in Chin state located along 'Tio' river that divides Chin state in Burma and Mizoram state in India after they held a meeting on Monday to discuss the crisis in Chin state.
"Though we are living in different countries, we are brothers. We have a responsibility to help our brothers, the Chin people when they are in trouble," Pu Lalhlupuia, E.C member of YMA (Champhai Sub-headquarter) said.
"Initially, we will conduct an assessment of the ground situation across 'Tio' river. Then we will collect donations in Mizoram state," Pu Lalhlupuia added.
Pu Lalhlupuia further said that YMA will seek help from Mizoram government if necessary.
Meanwhile the Chin Famine Emergency Relief Committee (CFERC) comprising of Chin social activists based in Mizoram yesterday held a fund raising live concert in Thailand for famine victims in Chin state.
Two prominent Mizo singers from Mizomram participated in the fund raising concert for famine victims in Chin state that will also be held in Malaysia and Singapore.
Recently, there were reports from inside Burma that rats and other insects had destroyed several crops in fields in remote areas of Falam, Tedim, Tonzang Townships in Chin state and Tamu, Kalay township in Sagaing division, northwest Burma.
The Chin Human Right Organization stated that around 100,000 people are facing acute shortage of food following bamboo flowering while India based Chin National Council said that around 44 children had died of diarrhea and malnutrition in remote areas of Thangtlang Township.
Around 2,000 villagers from famine affected areas in Paletwa Township had fled to Mizoram state, northeast India as a result of the food crisis plaguing Chin state.
Bamboo flowering began on the Indo-Burma border in late 2006 leading to multiplication of
rats in the region. The rats began invading the farmlands and destroyed crops such as paddy and maize – the main staple food of Chin state.
Mizoram state also had been hit by the famine like food crisis mainly caused by rat infestation.
However, India's central government, the Mizoram state government, international and Indian NGOs and Mizo organizations had taken measures to prevent the multiplication of rats and had assisted famine victims with relief.
Chins and Mizos share the same language and background and also have the same culture and customs.
The present Chin and Mizoram state –previously called the Lushai-Chin hills were divided before the independence of India and Burma from British colonial rule. The territories of Chin and Mizo were invaded by the British from different fronts in the late 19th century.
