Various organizations and political parties in Mizoram, India have appealed for aid and prayers for ethnic communities affected by floods and heavy rains in Chin State, Myanmar and in Manipur, India.
Pu Paul Sita, Secretary (1) of the Chin National Front (CNF) said:“We are talking with representatives of the Mizoram government, various organizations and political parties, about how to get the aid for Myanmar flood victims to Chin state and the Kalay-Kabaw area."
Both the Mizo National Front and the Mizoram People’s Conference have issued appeals to residents of the state to pray for and contribute to aid meant for ethnic Mizo or Chin people in Myanmar who have been affected by the heavy rains and other disasters.
Chief Minister of Mizoram, Lal Thanhawla, has also sent a letter expressing his ondolences and moral support to Hung Ngai, the Chief Minister of Chin State. It offered “solidarity to all affected citizens of Myanmar, who are our kith and kin.”
Lal Thanhawla had earlier appealed to Indian PM Narendra Modi for aid be sent to Myanmar and volunteered Mizoram as a base for air-dropping operations of aid.
Various groups and political parties also met at the Zo Reunification Organisation’s offices on 3 August to discuss how best to collect and send aid to the flood-affected regions, saying ethnic Mizo or Chin communities have been severely affected by flooding in towns across Chin State and Sagaing Division, such as Tahan, Falam, Kawlphai, Kalemiau and Halkha.
Other groups such as the central committee of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) have also called meetings to help the aid effort as pictures and videos on social media and news reports from across the international border continue to inform Mizoram residents about the natural calamity.
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
