Chin Food Aid Concert 2010 Successfully Resumed In USA
04 January, 2010: A continuing series of Chin Food Aid Concert in USA has been resumed and the first in the new year 2010 was successfully organized in Chapel Hill, North Carolina last Saturday.
The much-awaited concert was supported by hundreds of Burmese community members in North Carolina.
A celebrated performer Sung Tin Par shouted a greeting that the audience in 2010 is the warmest of all, perhaps recognizing a musing and enjoying group of the supporters.
Well-known artist and popular stereo singer Lashio Thein Aung Lasho Thein Aung from Burma joined the humanitarian event, which is designed to help the victims of food crisis in Burma’s Chin State. “We can easily travel to Chin State from Shan State by train,” he joked.
Only a few trafficable roads are available in the Chin State.
“We are very pleased to experience a diverse group of Burmese people in the United States come together and support this historic event,” said Salai Elaisa Vahnie, coordinator of Chin Food Aid Concert in USA.
Since 2007, a chronic food shortage has devastated large parts of Chin State.
In Paletwa Township, the worst-affected area, a total of 11,507 rice acres and 4,316 corn fields have been destroyed by the rats, according to the Chin Famine Emergency Relief Committee.
Out of a population of 35,702, at least 5,625 families are regarded as ’emergency’ cases. In an eight-month period, twelve people from five villages died of hunger-related illness, according to a recent report by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).
In November 2009, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) travelled to the India-Burma border with a delegation led by Baroness Cox, Chief Executive of the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART).
The report noted: “The effects of the chronic food shortage are severe and wide-ranging. In addition to the immediate issue of hunger and malnutrition, famine-related diseases such as diarrhoea have increased and sickness due to reduced resistance caused by hunger is prevalent.”
“Children’s education is affected, and many are unable to go to school due to illness, weakness and hunger. It is anticipated that the severe food shortage will continue for another two years, and that its effects will last for five years. There is therefore an urgent need for continued humanitarian assistance to the areas affected by the chronic food shortage.”
The next events are scheduled to be held in New Year City and Florida on Jan 23 and 29, 2010.
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Chinland Guardian