Volunteers denounce aid cuts to Kachin refugees

During a workshop on June 27 held at the Summit Parkview Hotel in Yangon, Sai Sam Kham, director of Myitta Foundation argued that support for refugees was important to maintain stability in the region. 

“The international donors have now said they want to reduce the support for refugees as they don’t want to spoil them. But we must ask the donors why reduce contributions unless true stability is maintained in the region. We need to choose which one to prioritise: donations or the living and dignity of the refugees?” 

Civic organisations have criticised the World Food Programme’s needs assessment of Kachin IDP camps that suggests only providing the basic necessities for refugees.

“We haven’t provided all the necessities of IDPs so far, like health and education services. The land for IDPs hasn’t been defined yet. We need more land to facilitate increasing refugees. For these reasons, international donors shouldn’t limit their contributions,” said Mary Tong from the Wun Pawng Ninghtoi, a volunteer group aiding refugees.

Fighting between the Myanmar armed forces and the Kachin Independence Army resumed in 2011 after the breaking of a 17-year ceasefire. The recent conflict has displaced up to 120,000 people in Kachin State and northern Shan State and only 39 per cent could access to aids, said the nine local volunteer associations.

The associations have sheltered and catered for internally displaced families with the assistance of international donors. In three years, donors have contributed US$35 million for 90,000 refugees in 148 camps. 

The Myanmar government provided over Ks 1 billion (US$1 million) in aid for refugees. The United Nations, international and local civic organisations are all cooperating to provide emergency relief. 

 “There are still a lot of relief operations needed for the IDPs. The assistance is required for about 35 million IDPs per year. In reality, we can provide for about 35 million over the three-year period. This accounts for 39 per cent each year, according to the United Nation report. I would like to say we will continue to provide assistance to them because they are very much in need,” said Sai San Kham from Myitta Foundation, one member of the task force. 

Since September, the UN World Food Programme has started its assistance programme in the KIO-controlled area. The programme is concerned that the IDPs will be overly relied on its assistance alone. The task force calls for the involvement of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation 

“There are more than 200 IDP camps in Kachin and northern Shan states. Our joint task force is providing assistance to nearly 90,000 IDPs in 148 camps. Based on our estimate, the number of IDPs will rise to 120,000. The IDP camps like the ones in Bhamo and Myitkyina, in which the UN agencies can have easy access, are stable and in a better situation than those located in KIO-controlled areas,” said Sai San Kham.