Growing number of refugees in Kachin State are bearing the brunt of the
fights between Myanmar Army and Kitchen Independence Organization.
About 2,000 clashes broke out between
the Army and the KIO from June 2011 to June 2012, intensifying the
impacts on the local people, according to the residents.
The government and KIO troops started fighting in Moemauk Township, Bhamo District in Kachin State on 9 June 2011.
A Kachin social worker said on 4 June,
“According to the local people and news in the media, about 2,000
clashes broke out between the Army and the KIO.”
Driven away by the fights, local people
in Moemauk, Bhamo, Mansi, Waingmaw and Myitkyina Townships have
abandoned their villages since July 2011.
They are taking refuge in camps in towns
and religious buildings as well as in the jungle. In January 2012, the
fights began to affect Hpakant Township.
The number of refugees has risen from over 50,000 at the end of 2011 to 80,000 at present.
A social worker in Bhamo Township,
Kachin State, said, “The rainy season has begun. The weather is very bad
in Kachin State. The wind is very strong and it rains continuously for
many days during the rainy season. However, there is not enough shelter
for the refugees. They have difficulty in shelter and food. Their health
is also a problem.”
These refugee camps are located in
Moemauk, Bhamo, Mansi, Waingmaw, Myitkyina, at the border region, in
Shan State and inside China.
Dr. Sai Htwe of Shan Mission who visited
18 camps in Kachin State and 5 camps in China during March and April
said, “Health of the refugees is worrying. There is a shortage of
medical supplies, lab instruments, and health workers. In addition,
existing health workers need training. Skin diseases, diarrhoea and
malnutrition are common among the children while adults are suffering
from heart, liver and psychological problems.”
A food crisis is also awaiting them as
they had to abandon their farms before they could reap the crops in 2011
and they could not prepare for farming in 2012 summer.
Kachin State is situated on major trade
routes between China and Myanmar such as Lweje and Kanpaiti, and the
trade was often delayed or cut off during the one year of clashes.
Another major trade route between the two countries is also under threat
from the fights.
“Most people in Kachin State engage in
farming and border trade. Last year, they were not able to work on their
farms and could not do trading business. Business is bad,” said a
businessman in Myitkyina.
June 9 is the first anniversary of the armed clashes in Kachin State.
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