More than 40,000 people are taking shelter in over 80 IDP camps in the government-controlled areas in Kachin State. More than 20,000 people from the IDP camps have lost their voting rights in the 2020 General Elections. What are the expectations of IDPs from the new government led by the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD)?

U Tu Aung from Janmai Kawng IDP camp

I want to go home. But I don’t know how I can earn a living. I feel upset. I would like to go back to farming but landmines are scattered everywhere. I don’t think all these mines can be cleared.  I want the new government to create jobs to enable the IDPs to go home. We want the new government to provide the IDPs a cash payment.

U Bayan Shaung from Treeiti IDP camp

A person has the right to freedom of speech. According to my experience the authorities arrested the youth leaders who engaged in IDP affairs and took action against those who marked the 9th year anniversary of the IDP. On the one hand the government talks about human rights. On the other hand the reality is we have no human rights. So that’s why I want the new government to respect and support freedom of speech.

Daw Htoo Lwan from Janmai Kawng IDP camp

We want to see the new government will stop discrimination against people based on the colour of their skin and their ethnicity. For example the Kachin State Chief Minister is the chief minister of the entire Kachin State. We want the government that can act with urgency to solve the problems and needs of the people. 

U Phaung Gwan Thu Shan, Zeelun IDP camp

The return of IDPs calls for peace. We want the government to lead efforts to achieve genuine peace. When we go home we have nothing, the government must help us. I also want to urge the  government to bring peace to the conflict areas.

U Khaung Zay, Khatcho IDP camp

Going home is our dream. But we will have to flee to the safer places again, if there is no peace. That’s why we want peace. I want the Kachin State government to provide necessary assistance to the IDPs when they go home.

The incumbent government is working on the shutdown of IDP camps and the resettlement of the IDPs in cooperation with the Kachin CSOs.