Conditions worsening for IDPs in Kachin State

“We dream of going back to our homes, but this can’t happen because fighting is continuing and both sides have not signed a nationwide ceasefire deal,” a resident of one camp said, referring to the clashes between the Kachin Independence Army and Union government troops.

Most IDPs interviewed by Eleven Media said that they expect conditions to deteriorate the longer they stay in the camps. Some reported outbreaks of diarrhea and other illnesses, as well as an increase in the number of disputes over resources with residents of villages near the camps.

Children and youths have also lost three years of schooling, IDPs said. They described the camps as prisons, but said they had no where else to go. They also expressed alarm about reductions in food rations from international aid agencies.

“The camps are like a prison,” said Phaw Lar Yone, who has lived in IDP camps for three years. “There are no IDPs who do not want to return home. We can’t live freely and the camps are overcrowded.” 

Nan Ei Swan, a 70-year-old resident of Waimaw Thagara camp, said theft was rising in abandoned villages. “Last year, I returned to my village and saw our things were as we left them, but this year even the walls of our house and paddy barn were stolen. Nearly everything in my home was stolen.” 

“I could do nothing. I returned to the camp crying,” she said.

There are an estimated 30,000 IDPs in areas of Kachin State controlled by the Union government’s military and another 80,000 in areas controlled by the KIA and its political arm, the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO).

Since the 17-year ceasefire between the two militaries was broken on June 9, 2011, more than 30,000 residents of villages located near the Myintgyina-Bhamaw highway have fled to camps in government controlled areas. Another 80,000 have fled to camps near the KIO’s headquarters in Laiza Township, other areas controlled by the KIA and China. 

IDPs in government controlled area have had access to aid from Myanmar, international non-governmental organisations and United Nations agencies. 

IDPs in the 66 camps in areas controlled by the KIO had very limited access to international aid for the first two years. Late last year, international aid began flowing into KIO areas with the approval of the Union government.

International aid has, however, been insufficient and IDPs are working in gold and jade mines, as well as farms, to supplement it.

“We have food and a place to live, but we have to go outside [the camps] to meet our other needs. Among IDPs, many are working on farms,” said U Yar Naw who is in charge of Waimaw-Miana Refugee Camp

“In rainy season, there are many patients suffering from diarrhea and illness because the camps are overcrowded,” he said.

Nawla, who is in charge of Minar KBC refugee camp, said this food reduction could lead to more disputes over resources and farm produce with residents of nearby villages. Such disputes are already occurring and residents of villages near camps say they are also facing hardships. 

There are 40,000 IDPs in four camps near Minar village in Waimaw Township. Village residents say they are losing vegetables, firewood and fruit to the IDPs. 

“I sympathised with them because they are refugees, but it will be the best if they go back to where they belong,” said Sai Aung Htwe, a resident of the village.

However, only a trickle of IDPs is returning to their villages, staff of IDP camps say. The Kachin State government built 285 homes for displaced people at the foot of Inkhaingbwan hill in Myitkyina, but only 105 families moved in.

The government and the KIA agreed to relocate IDPs in October 2013, but the plan failed when fighting began in April.