(July 07, 2011) Churches in Banmaw Diocese in Kachin State, Myanmar have been providing
rice and medicine to sick and hungry refugees displaced by ongoing armed clashes between
Burmese soldiers and troops from the opposition Kachin Independence Army but say their
ability to help is limited. More than 6,500 people have sought refuge in five parishes
near the Chinese border, according to data collected by a disaster relief and response
team from Karuna Banmaw. Many of them have gathered in makeshift camps, while others
have fled into the jungle to escape the fighting. “We are supporting the refugees
as much as we can with the Lenten contribution and other donations from the faithful
in the diocese,” said Bishop Raymond Sumlut Gam, who added that heavy rains in the
area have added to the difficulties facing refugees. The needs of the refugees, he
said, were far greater than the parishes’ limited resources. Bishop Raymond added
that villagers close to the border often cross the border at night and return in the
morning to work their farms and paddy fields. Church sources who declined to be named
said that while the situation has calmed in some parts of Kachin State, remote areas
near the Chinese border remain dangerous. Fighting in the area broke out in early
June between government troops and forces from the Kachin Army, which had signed a
ceasefire agreement in 1994, but rejected an order last year to join the government’s
Border Guard Force.