Chin Christian Leaders to Make Humanitarian Visit to Kachin State

13 October 2011: A group of Chin Christian leaders from Chin State, Burma are to leave for Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State this weekend to meet with members of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC).

In their first humanitarian visit after an outbreak of the ongoing armed conflict in Burma’s northern region on 9 June, the Chin pastors of the Zomi Baptist Convention (ZBC) will make a contribution towards helping war-displaced people and refugees.

Rev. M. Thawng Kam, ZBC President, said: “We are going to make a visit only up to Myitkyina to show our sincere solidarity with our brothers, Kachins, at this difficult time. In this trip, a collective financial contribution from ZBC, CACC (Chin Association for Christian Communication) and Thantlang Baptist Church will be given to leaders of KBC.”

“We are much encouraged by news that the Chin Diasporas are also making efforts in trying to raise fund for more support besides standing alongside the Kachins in public protests across the globe. We should continue our prayers for them.”

According to a recent report by KWAT (Kachin Women’s Association of Thailand), over 25,000 local people have been internally displaced, facing shortages of food, medicine and other basic needs in refugee camps and along the China-Burma border.

Yesterday, Chin people living in Aizawl, Mizoram State of India, formed an organizational body called ‘Chin Humanitarian Group for Kachin Refugees’ in an attempt to raise awareness and fund among local churches and communities.

Chin communities in the UK are to join a Kachin demonstration of global action in front of the Burmese and Chinese embassies in London tomorrow, calling on Thein Sein’s government to immediately withdraw troops and on Chinese government to provide shelter for refugees fleeing the military offensives as well as to stop supporting the Burmese government.

Van Biak Thang
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