Speaking on the sidelines of the “Myanmar Rice Mill and Machinery for Value-added Agricultural Produces [sic] Exhibition 2013” at Myanmar Convention Centre in Yangon on March 2, Ohn Myint said that in addition to agricultural loans, the Ministry will provide pigs and cows to affected Kachin residents.

“We hope that the Myanmar army and the KIA [Kachin Independence Army] will work together for the rehabilitation of the Kachin people,” he said.

The Livestock and Fisheries Minister promised that the government will help in rehabilitating the displaced Kachin people who are currently taking refuge in monasteries, shelters and refugee camps. Moreover, he said, the Ministry will assist people securing their livelihoods.

Khun Ja of Kachin Peace Network said that there are now more than 100,000 Kachin war refugees and IDPs in the region.