WORKING ON 'THE EDGE' IN MYANMAR
FORGOTTEN CONFLICT IN MYANMAR
Kachin State, in northern Myanmar has been the site of a brutal conflict between the military and the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) for more than 50 years. Kachin State is the northernmost state of Myanmar (also known as Burma) and is bordered by China to the north and east. The Kachin people are an ethnic minority in Myanmar, a highland indigenous people with rich traditions.
The Kachin people have suffered the horrific consequences of armed conflict, bearing the brunt of attacks against armed groups. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been forced from their homes and villages into remote mountain camps as the military have attacked villages and destroyed their homes. Here, they live in extreme weather conditions, facing temperatures of less than minus 10 degrees in winter.
It is estimated that there are around 130,000 internally displaced Kachin people living in these camps; cut off from aid, education and support. A report from Fortify Rights has shown how the Myanmar authorities—particularly the Myanmar military – have weaponized the denial of humanitarian aid in Kachin State for years. They have willfully imposed restrictions on access to food, healthcare, shelter, water, and sanitation to tens of thousands of Kachin displaced by ongoing conflict.
The Kachin people have suffered the horrific consequences of armed conflict, bearing the brunt of attacks against armed groups. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been forced from their homes and villages into remote mountain camps as the military have attacked villages and destroyed their homes. Here, they live in extreme weather conditions, facing temperatures of less than minus 10 degrees in winter.
It is estimated that there are around 130,000 internally displaced Kachin people living in these camps; cut off from aid, education and support. A report from Fortify Rights has shown how the Myanmar authorities—particularly the Myanmar military – have weaponized the denial of humanitarian aid in Kachin State for years. They have willfully imposed restrictions on access to food, healthcare, shelter, water, and sanitation to tens of thousands of Kachin displaced by ongoing conflict.
Kachin people have been forced from their homes are living in remote mountain camps
Children under the age of six in these camps have known little else but war and many have suffered severe trauma from what they have witnessed. Whilst there is some primary education, there is no provision for early years learning at what is a pivotal time in a child’s development. In the northern camps of Kachin state there is no other international organisation offering ongoing support for young children.
The conflict in Kachin State remains forgotten by the international community and international media, despite evidence of serious human rights violations being committed with impunity by the Myanmar military and armed groups; including murder; imprisonment; enforced disappearance; torture; rape, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence; persecution and enslavement.
The conflict in Kachin State remains forgotten by the international community and international media, despite evidence of serious human rights violations being committed with impunity by the Myanmar military and armed groups; including murder; imprisonment; enforced disappearance; torture; rape, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence; persecution and enslavement.
In the northern camps of Kachin state, we are the only international organisation offering ongoing support for young children.
WHY IS THERE CONFLICT IN MYANMAR?
Around 1.6 million Kachin people - a minority Christian group in Myanmar - lived in relative peace in the northern Myanmar region, near the border with China, for hundreds of years.
When Myanmar gained independence from the British in 1948, the Kachin people were promised self determination, but the military seized control in 1962 and the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) was formed to defend Kachin land. Armed conflict has followed ever since, bar a 17 year ceasefire between 1994 and 2011.
When Myanmar gained independence from the British in 1948, the Kachin people were promised self determination, but the military seized control in 1962 and the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) was formed to defend Kachin land. Armed conflict has followed ever since, bar a 17 year ceasefire between 1994 and 2011.
MILITARY COUP
Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party won a landslide victory in the elections early in 2021, but the army backed the opposition party who claimed the result was fraudulent, and staged a coup on the 1st February 2021.
A year-long state of emergency was announced, including curfews, limitations on gatherings, internet blackouts and banking closures. The action of the Myanmar military has triggered widespread international condemnation and the largest mass civil protests since the so-called Saffron Revolution in 2007, where monks rose up against the military regime. Security forces responded to demonstrations with violent crackdowns, killing 500 protesters by the end of March 2021, including 44 children.
A year-long state of emergency was announced, including curfews, limitations on gatherings, internet blackouts and banking closures. The action of the Myanmar military has triggered widespread international condemnation and the largest mass civil protests since the so-called Saffron Revolution in 2007, where monks rose up against the military regime. Security forces responded to demonstrations with violent crackdowns, killing 500 protesters by the end of March 2021, including 44 children.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN KACHIN STATE?
Mixed messages are coming through to the Kachin people about the future, with the KIO leader stating in a recent and widely shared interview, his decision to totally eliminate the military dictatorship whilst contrary to this, the KIO Central Committee released a public statement in 2021 that they will be seeking ways to achieve peace through dialogue rather than conflict.
The internally displaced people who live in the KIO controlled areas are facing increasing challenges, with severe shortages of food, healthcare services, livelihood opportunities, and education access. These shortages have been exacerbated by increased security at the Chinese border, where checkpoints are preventing anyone from crossing back and forth, stopping any possibility of extra earning opportunities or the purchase of provisions.
The Kachin people are truly living on the edge and are in desperate need of support.
The internally displaced people who live in the KIO controlled areas are facing increasing challenges, with severe shortages of food, healthcare services, livelihood opportunities, and education access. These shortages have been exacerbated by increased security at the Chinese border, where checkpoints are preventing anyone from crossing back and forth, stopping any possibility of extra earning opportunities or the purchase of provisions.
The Kachin people are truly living on the edge and are in desperate need of support.
Ongoing conflict across Kachin State, Myanmar has left 130, 000 internally displaced Kachin people living in remote mountain camps, cut off from education and essential services.
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