The total number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Chin State has exceeded 40,000 after the Feb 1 coup, and they are in dire need of food, said an official of the Chin Human Rights Organization.
“The majority of the IDPs need food. They can only carry enough food for around one week. There is no medicine and no access to health experts. The IDPs find it difficult to find adequate accommodation owing to the incessant rain. The ground is wet even if they have rain-proof sheets,” said Program Director Salai Van Biak Thang from the Chin Human Rights Organization.
The total number of IDPs in Chin State is over 42,000—around 7,000 in Hakha Township, over 15,000 in Mindat, Kanpetlet and Matupi Townships and over 15,000 in Mizoram State of India.
This is the approximate list compiled by the Chin Human Rights Organization after the coup. More than 10,000 IDPs in Paletwa Township are not included in the list.
Salai Van Biak Thang said: “There is no international aid and other aid in the northern Chin State. The Red Cross Society can provide aid to the IDPs in the southern Chin State to a certain extent. But aid organizations cannot provide aid officially. International organizations like the UN cannot officially provide aid until now. We have always contact with the UNHCR. Although the UNHCR is ready to provide aid, it is unable to do it.”
Some IDPs from the regions where there is less fighting go home. The number of IDPs may be higher if the fighting intensifies. Some people are ready to flee their region.
