Worry for IDPs in Chin State grows as rainy season begins soon

Concerns for the safety and well-being of internally displaced persons in Paletwa Township of Chin State increase as the rainy season is coming soon.

“As we speak now, people are fleeing their homes as the fighting continues. They are temporarily living in makeshift shelters, which are not strong enough to withstand the bad weather of rains and winds,” one of the Paletwa community leaders, who recently returned from a trip to Paletwa, told the Chin Human Rights Organization on the condition of anonymity.

Community leaders put stress on the urgent need to prepare ‘safer accommodation and protection’ before the rainy season for an estimated population of over 11,000 spreading across Paletwa Township at 9 different places while some others are outside of Chin State including Yangon.

“Some are at schools and churches while others are staying with relatives and friends. These are too crowded with very limited facilities and are not for a long-term solution. Some more are in open space and on the riverbank,” added the community leaders.

Sources from Khumi communities said that some temporary tents were being built of bamboos and tarpaulins in Sami town with financial contributions from individuals and groups, highlighting, “They are better than nothing but won’t last long.”

In recent months, Chin communities across the globe have increased their concerted efforts in making cash and in-kind contributions as part of the emergency responses to the plight of the conflict-affected population.

“As the conflict continues and intensifies, access to the affected areas have been restricted and internet communications have also been cut off, aid that has reached the IDPs is limited and their longer-term well-being in terms of food and physical protection are the main concerns now,” said Salai Sang Hnin Lian, of the Chin Human Rights Organization.

It is reported that the Myanmar military/Tadmadaw is ceasing fighting in the whole country for 3 months apart from the regions where terrorist movements, hence Chin State and Rakhine where Arakan army based, effective starting from 9th May.

The conflict between the Arakan Army and Tatmadaw has taken place in Paletwa Township, Chin State since early 2015, causing humanitarian crisis, and an increasing population of IDPs and casualties, and refugees.#