Dim future for Kayin refugees as aid dwindles – Myanmar Times

There were over 3000 refugees in Myaing Gyi Ngu in early 2016, but that increased to 5610 early this year, said refugee camp officials.

At the onset of the fighting, the respected monk Myaing Gyi Ngu Sayadaw tried to bring out people and arrange for them to stay at Aye Lin Myat Shin camp and Mya Pan Wutmone camp in Myaing Gyi Ngu.

At the urging of the revered monk, local and foreign donors flocked there to lend a helping hand and international organisations provided regular aid.

However, the aid flow almost stopped in early 2017. International groups cut their assistance by 30 percent in June 2017 and another 30pc last February, said Saw Bwal Say, secretary of the Karen Refugee Committee.

Despite regular surveys of the camps by international donor organisations, requests to resume the assistance haven’t been accepted yet, he said.

“In 2017, their interest in us declined sharply, I think, because of the Rakhine State crisis,” he said.

People living in Myaing Gyi Ngu refugee camp were able to survive because of the support of the revered monk and his followers.

Unfortunately Myaing Gyi Ngu Sayadaw Baddanda U Thuzana died on October 13 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. His body was carried back to Myaing Gyi Ngu and lay in state for 45 days during which people paid their respects. Refugees were able to attend the funeral of the monk, which included festivities, traditional dance drama and fairs.

Karen refugees have received no regular aid since mid-September, before the monk went to Bangkok for treatment, said Saw Tun, who is in charge of Aye Lin Myat Shin camp.

“Sayadaw sent his followers to collect donations once a month and to ask us what we needed. But we haven’t received any aid since he became ill,” he said.

“We are worried that we will face another food shortage because we can no longer receive help from Sayadaw,” he said.

There are more landmines near the battlefield, so villagers can’t work and are fleeing their homes, increasing the number of refugees. Records show most of the new refugees are from Papalokhi village in Hlaingbwe.

The building of a road in Hpapun township in March sparked fighting between the Karen National Union and military, worsening the refugee situation.

Refugee numbers rose to 7345 this month, while aid from donors is almost zero.

Most people living in the camps are farmers or raise livestock.

After arriving at Myaing Gyi Ngu camp, they have to depend on aid from donors, as there is no work for them, said refugee Saw El Hmu of Htikanaw village.

‘In 2017, their interest in us declined sharply, I think, because of the Rakhine crisis.’ – Saw Bwal Say, Secretary, Karen Refugee Committee
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“In the camp, there is no way to earn a living, but if we return home, we have to worry about landmines,” he said.

According to a recent report by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, landmines killed 488 people and injured 3385 others from 1999 to 2016 in Myanmar.

Saw Moe Thoe of the BGF blames the DKBA. “The main reason for the landmines is the DKBA. The BGF carries out frequent landmine-clearing operations, but it is hard for villagers to know where the mines are,” he said.

They will continue landmine clearance, but it is still not safe for local people, he added.

The state government regularly provides displaced people with rice, cooking oil and salt, and if they make a request, these are sent within a week, said Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint, chief minister of Kayin.

“We want some of them to return to their villages, because in the camps, there is no education for children or jobs for them. Also, it is not possible to rely on donors,” Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint said.

Over 30 bags of rice are needed daily to feed the people in Myaing Gyi Ngu camp.

“The government has provided help, but the rice isn’t enough for even one week,” said U Saw Sein Pan, who is in charge of Mya Pan Wutmone camp.

He said the government should remove the landmines so that the refugees can return home safely.

“There are no clinics and health care at the camps. If we get sick, we have to go to see a doctor in town,” said U Saw Sein Pan. Food is running out at the Kayin refugee camp and the future seems bleak.

Senior monk Sayadaw Baddanda Nyanika (Phuu Sar Cha) said a monk has not yet been chosen to succeed Myaing Gyi Ngu Sayadaw, but he said he will continue giving donations and supplies to the Myaing Gyi Ngu refugees.

“We couldn’t think about the refugees while we were busy with Sayadaw’s funeral in recent months, but we will resume giving them aid later,” he said.

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