Chin Extends Donation to Help Kachin Refugees

11 February 2012: As Burma’s ongoing military attacks in Kachin State displace an increasing number of thousands of refugees, Chin communities worldwide continue their humanitarian support for the conflict-affected victims.

Recently, the Kachin News reported a donation of 13,013.90 US dollars was made to assist Kachin refugees by the World Zomi Congress (WZC), an organization representing Chin people in America.

At a ceremony at the Vickery Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas where the contribution was handed over, Pu Thang Lian, General Secretary of WZC, was quoted as saying that the Chin group stands behind the Kachin in the struggle against Burma’s military authorities.

In its January 2012 report, UN-OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) said the total number of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) has increased to over 55,000 in mid-January this year.

More armed clashes have still taken place in Kachin State over the last two days between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Burma Army soldiers although a ‘peace talk’ meeting is scheduled next week, according to the Kachin News.

The World Zomi Congress (WZC) strongly condemns the ruthless actions and brutalities committed against ethnic peoples by Burma Army soldiers.

Late last year, Chin communities and churches including the Zomi Baptist Convention (ZBC) based in Falam, Chin State, the Norway Chin Christian Federation (NCCF), Chin churches based in Australia’s Melbourne, a Chin humanitarian group in India’s Aizawl of Mizoram State, and Chin refugees in Malaysia also made financial contribution towards helping Kachin refugees.

In October 2011, a delegation of six Chin Christian pastors from Chin State made a humanitarian visit to Kachin State, meeting with leaders of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) and other Kachin churches that look after conflict-displaced refugees.

In 2008, a total of 53 Kachin Christian pastors made a historical trip to Chin State, paying their brotherly visit to the Chin people as histories claimed the Chin are the elder of the two.

Reporting by Thawng Zel Thang
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