Hundreds of Kachin nationalities living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, after being forced from their homes by fighting between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) more than a decade ago, have returned to their villages despite the challenges of political and economic instability.
“Some people are much worse off than us. We won't have land to farm, but we'll have a house, so we''ll have to figure out how to make a living when we get back home,” Bawm Myaw told NMG before returning to her village.
Despite the difficulties associated with the return, over 500 people from 113 families decided it was worth the risk and left their camp in Jan Mai Kawng ward Myitkyina on 25 May.
Bawm Myaw told NMG that it was hard to live in the cramped camp for more than 10 years and they were afraid of losing their land if they didn't move back.
Villagers from Tai Lum, Yay Kyi, Tar Padawng, Hokap, Tar Lawgyi and Kawng Ra, all in Myitkyina Township, fled the war in 2011, the year the army broke a seventeen-year-old ceasefire with the KIA.
Camp leaders said the Japanese Nippon Foundation has provided homes for families and the World Food Programme will give them food rations for the next six months.
