The performers called for an end to the war and the right to return home with dignity.

Young people living in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kachin State converged on the state capital Myitkyina on Sunday to draw attention to the plight of civilian victims of a war that shows no signs of ending.

“Our people have been suffering for eight years now. We want to go home, but there is no safety for us on the road to our home. We want to go home with safety and dignity,” said event organizer Paul (Paw Lu), speaking to KNG.

Groups of youths gathered at two locations in the city—the Sein Mya Aya Park and the Gen. Aung San Statue Square—to put on street performances to mark the eighth anniversary of the war.

The performances showed the challenges of life in IDP camps, the discrimination IDPs have suffered, and their longing to return to their homes.

“We want to let the international community know through the media what we are feeling and what we are suffering. If possible, we want to return to our home,” said Bawm Myaw, a resident of the Maina IDP camp who participated in the event.

Sara Seng Hkawng, who lives in the Mali Yang IDP camp, called for the restoration of peace and for all IDPs to be able to return to their homes.

“We want political problems to be solved peacefully. Then we want the government to implement an IDP-resettlement program. We have been traumatized by these eight years of war. I don't want to be forced to return home—I want to go back with dignity,” said Sara Seng Hkawng.

More than 120,000 civilians have been forced to flee their homes since a 17-year-old ceasefire between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independence Army collapsed on June 9, 2011.