IDP camps in Kachin State in urgent need of aid

IDP camps in Kachin State in urgent need of aid

Published on Thursday, 01 August 2013 17:23

KBC IDP's camp in Kachin State seen on May 31 (Photo-EMG)

Kachin refugee camps outside the control of the government are in urgent need of aid, according to Myanmar Humanitarian Bulletin of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

Conflict between the Myanmar army and Kachin armed groups resumed in June, 2011 and about 100,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) are fleeing to Kachin State and northern Shan State due to the violence.

According to the Kachin response plan, about 120,000 displaced people in Kachin State and northern Shan State need humanitarian assistance until the end of 2013.

Over 87,000 displaced  people have been registered and are now staying in refugee camps in Kachin State and northern Shan State.

Among them, 57 percent of victims are living outside regions under government administration.

The number does not include the refugee camps in Shan State and migrant victims who are now living together with other families. Those refugees fled over two years ago and they are now resettled.

Emergency aid is most needed in areas outside of government control due to the rainy season.

Although, non-government organisations led by the United Nations have been providing assistance to these regions since the end of 2011, they provided aid to only 20 percent of refugees [about 10,000 people], according to UNOCHA's report.  

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/08/01/idp-camps-in-kachin-state-in-urgent-need-of-aid/