Burma Army offensives against the People's Defence Force in Mindat town and other villages in Chin State displaced thousands of civilians during the rainy season. Currently, over 8,000 people are living in 18 jungle camps without enough food, medicine and adequate shelter from the rain. Khonumthung News spoke with Catholic Monk Nicholas Ghung Thang Se helping residents of Lukse IDP (internally displaced persons) camp.
What is the current situation for the residents at Lukse?
A couple of days ago, some IDPs returned to their homes. I think there are about 200 people left in the camp, including all of the women and children. The situation on the ground has become a little more stable There are about 20 new arrivals at our camp. They told us they didn't bring any rice. We have donors who want to give us rice, but the problem is we can not transport it on the Kyauk Htu Road or other routes in Mindat Township because the Burma Army is blocking it. Many homes caught in the middle of fighting have been damaged by shelling. Soldiers have also destroyed all of the properties inside these homes, as well as their rice stocks. These people need emergency aid, however, no one can help them because they are living in a conflict zone.
We heard the IDP are suffering from diarrhoea, flue and malaria. Can you explain the health situation in the camp?
I think it is related to unclean water because they have to drink water from the stream. Also, the weather is changing. Now it's the rainy season. In Lukse IDP camp, the situation is still under control. We are trying to administer medical care for everyone. No one has died. I am not sure what is the situation in the other camps.
With the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Burma, what precautions are you taking in the camp where many people are living together to prevent infections?
We can not buy medicine so it is difficult to take precautions. We started discussions about what can be done. In our church, we implemented protective measures, but we haven't started it in the camp.
Can you discuss why there are shortages of medicine, food and clean drinking water?
We are located a bit far from the main road so the soldiers don't come to our camp. The soldiers visit villages in Wamthu and Suntawng areas, and near the Chin to Magwe and the Chin to Sagaing roads. IDP camps in these areas receive less assistance. In our camp, we have domestic and international donors helping, but as I mentioned earlier, the main problem is that soldiers are blocking Kyauk Htu and the other roads. This is why we have only enough rice for 2 to 3 weeks at a time and currently, there isn't enough.
During the rainy season what emergency aid is needed for IDPs?
Our camp is far from Mindat town. If we are allowed, we want to cooperate with ICRC to build a new camp in Magwe Region. If we are allowed to construct a camp near Kyauk Htu, it will be easier to transport food and other assistance to the IDPs. Plus, it will be safer. Because it is outside of Chin State, this may be difficult to achieve.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The military council should not be attacking civilians. It must respect human rights and relief efforts to help the IDPs. On the other hand, PDF must always consider the security of the civilians and it should be engaging in discussions about their protection with all the relevant stakeholders. How many more times do people have to flee from their village because of the fighting? If the stakeholders can meet first, the suffering will be reduced.
