Monday, 14 November 2011
Over 15,000 Displaced People in Kachin State Await Cease-Fire News
On 9 June 2011 fighting started between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Burma Army. The fighting was started by a dispute between the two armies over control of the area surrounding the Chinese-run Taping hydropower projects. This ended the 17-year ceasefire between the two armies. For more information, go to: Fighting in Kachin State ends 17-year cease-fire.
At least 15,668 people in Kachin State have fled their homes for safety along the China-Burma border, according to the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO). Most of these people fled because of KIO warnings that there may be fighting in the area. As of now, the Burma Army and KIO have only engaged in small attacks between camps while cease-fire negotiations continue. If the political talks fail, there may likely be more fighting which would cause more people to abandon their homes to seek safety on the border. The Burma Army has sent a total of 68 Battalions to all of Kachin State.
The KIO reported a breakdown of internally displaced persons (IDPs) as follows: Western Division, 2328 IDPs; Eastern Division, 6538; Dum Bung, 380 (very near fighting area); Maga Yang, 641; and in the KIO's capital Laiza, 5781 where there are still more people trickling in. There are four IDP locations in the Laiza area: the Laiza Cultural Center, 2013 IDPs; City Hall, 868 IDPs; an unused factory, 1884 IDPs; and an unused portion of the local market with an unknown number of IDPs. According to the KIO, it is providing most of the aid to these people; giving US$500 per location per day. However there are more displaced people that have crossed the border into China.
Most of the people staying in IDP locations are women and children. Most of the men have gone back to their farms despite the dangers, because they won't have food for the next year if they don't continue farming. The displaced people are given rice and eat it with whatever they can find, usually salt and chilis. The KIO provides meat two times a week. There are small clinics at each camp, and the main clinic in Laiza can keep the clinics supplied with medicine. At each clinic there is one doctor and two or three nurses. The most common sicknesses are diarrhea and cough, and most of the patients are children. One child recently died from diarrhea. A major concern is the lack of safe drinking water, as currently people are drinking rain water and water from a nearby creek. The IDP children have been attending the local school, but they are split into morning and afternoon groups because there is not enough room. Even with these issues, conditions in the IDP sites are relatively stable.
Thank you and God Bless You ALL!!!!
At least 15,668 people in Kachin State have fled their homes for safety along the China-Burma border, according to the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO). Most of these people fled because of KIO warnings that there may be fighting in the area. As of now, the Burma Army and KIO have only engaged in small attacks between camps while cease-fire negotiations continue. If the political talks fail, there may likely be more fighting which would cause more people to abandon their homes to seek safety on the border. The Burma Army has sent a total of 68 Battalions to all of Kachin State.
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| IDPs living in Laiza City Hall |
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| Kachin doctors care for IDPs |
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| Temporary IDP location |
Thank you and God Bless You ALL!!!!
Nyaunglebin District, Northwestern Karen State
In June 2011, the Nyaunglebin District FBR team visited six villages with at least 800 families and 1800 people; they were able to provide medical assistance to over 400 patients.
Villagers stated in interviews that though the Burma Army has been less active in the area since the beginning of the year, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 264 is still present with three camps - Kyauk Kyi, Bawgata, and Toe Ta Dah Camp. LIB 264 has been using civilians and village headmen for security, forcing them to report any Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA -- pro-democracy ethnic resistance) movement within their villages every two days.
On 12 June 2011 in Ler Doh Township, the Burma Army opened fire on two Muthey villagers who were searching for their buffaloes at Ee Tha Plaw. The troops shot at them with rifles and fired seven mortar rounds, though neither person was injured. The two villagers escaped the attack and were able to return to their homes.
Villagers stated in interviews that though the Burma Army has been less active in the area since the beginning of the year, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 264 is still present with three camps - Kyauk Kyi, Bawgata, and Toe Ta Dah Camp. LIB 264 has been using civilians and village headmen for security, forcing them to report any Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA -- pro-democracy ethnic resistance) movement within their villages every two days.
On 12 June 2011 in Ler Doh Township, the Burma Army opened fire on two Muthey villagers who were searching for their buffaloes at Ee Tha Plaw. The troops shot at them with rifles and fired seven mortar rounds, though neither person was injured. The two villagers escaped the attack and were able to return to their homes.
Dooplaya District, Central Karen State
The following is an update on a village that was hit with Burma Army mortar fire in June during fighting between the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), and Burma Army Infantry Battalion (IB) 283 (see previous report). On 7 June 2011, Burma Army mortar fire killed a seven-year-old child and wounded two other villagers when it landed in Mae Ta Ler Village in Kaw Taw Ri (Kawkareik) Township, Dooplaya District.
Pictured below is the deceased 7-year-old Saw Kaw Buh. He died that day (7 June 2011) from head injuries which he sustained due to mortar fire.
Saw Lar, 17, was placed in the hospital with injuries to the left cheek and shoulder. The wounds are visible in the below picture and he is now in recovery.
Naw Ku Kyi, a 25-year-old mother of three, originally sustained injuries to her forehead, back and fingers. She is pictured below in her condition immediately after the attack. She survived and is recovering.
Pictured below is the deceased 7-year-old Saw Kaw Buh. He died that day (7 June 2011) from head injuries which he sustained due to mortar fire.
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| 7 year old Saw Kaw Buh, died from injuries sustained in a mortar attack |
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| Saw Lar, 17, injured in Burma Army mortar attack |
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| Naw Ku Kyi, a 25-year-old mother of three, injured in Burma Army mortar attack |
Burma Army Uses Civilians as Shields in Karen State
On 5 June 2011, gunfire broke out between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA -- pro-democracy ethnic resistance) Battalion 16 and Burma Army Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 373 between Jauke Ku Village and Myine Tha Ya Village in Win Ye (Waw Reh) Township, Dooplaya District. In addition to firing on KNLA troops, LIB 373, led by Battalion Commander Aye Min Soe, began firing on and mortaring nearby Myine Tha Ya Village and Aplone Village. When they arrived at Myine Tha Ya Village, the Burma Army forced the villagers out from their covering pits, which are holes the villagers dig in the ground to hide in for protection from crossfire. After forcing them out of the covering pits, the Burma Army forced the villagers to carry loads and serve as human shields and minesweepers on their six-mile patrol to Meh Ta Li Village. Amongst the group of villagers forced to carry loads were a 9 year old boy and a pregnant woman.
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| A 5-year-old boy who was forced to walk with his mother in between SPDC troops while they patrolled for six miles to Meh La Ti Village. |
Free Burma Rangers
Dear friends.
The following is a photo essay that reflects what we see here in Northern and Western Karen State. We are on our fourth month of missions here and there is more good news than bad.
There is all around us the reminders of the dangerous presence of the Burma Army --burned homes, displaced people and two villagers we met today who are from the plains and who escaped into the jungle after being beaten and tortured with boiling water by the Burma Army. In spite of this we see good things too and see that the story here is one of life and hope.
Last week, I was talking to a journalist friend who had walked in to write a story. We stood on one side of a field where the Good Life Club counselors (that are on every relief team) were leading the children in songs, dances and in learning anatomy and hygiene. At the same time my own children were racing their ponies up and down the field bareback and the IDPS were laughing as they watched, while on the other side of the field medics were giving medical and dental treatment.
The journalist turned to me laughing and said, “Who can I sell this story to? Where is the attacking Burma Army and fleeing people? Everyone here is laughing and having a great time. Maybe I could sell this story to a circus magazine!”
The following is a photo essay that reflects what we see here in Northern and Western Karen State. We are on our fourth month of missions here and there is more good news than bad.
There is all around us the reminders of the dangerous presence of the Burma Army --burned homes, displaced people and two villagers we met today who are from the plains and who escaped into the jungle after being beaten and tortured with boiling water by the Burma Army. In spite of this we see good things too and see that the story here is one of life and hope.
Last week, I was talking to a journalist friend who had walked in to write a story. We stood on one side of a field where the Good Life Club counselors (that are on every relief team) were leading the children in songs, dances and in learning anatomy and hygiene. At the same time my own children were racing their ponies up and down the field bareback and the IDPS were laughing as they watched, while on the other side of the field medics were giving medical and dental treatment.
The journalist turned to me laughing and said, “Who can I sell this story to? Where is the attacking Burma Army and fleeing people? Everyone here is laughing and having a great time. Maybe I could sell this story to a circus magazine!”
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