Challenges of Mindat Township IDP Camp Management Committee
This post is a continuation of our ongoing report examining the urgent growing needs of IDP camps across Chin State. In the previous three posts, the local committee overseeing the care of displaced populations provided some background as to the origin of these camps, and how they hope to support them. In the following report, they describe the tremendous challenges they are facing, along with the personal risks and sacrifices, which need to be taken into consideration as they complete their work. They have presented these challenges so that their team members are more able to make safe and effective decisions that ensure the aid reaches exactly where it needs to. Please consider a donation of any amount to help in these life-saving measures.
SAC Restrictions for Aid Delivery & Inflation: The SAC operates many gates along main transport routes which connect Mindat with other towns. As such, the SAC confiscated a lot of cars carrying food supplies (mainly rice) and medicines, and detained drivers, along with seizing humanitarian aid. The people of Mindat do not grow rice paddy, and do not produce other crops such as beans, potatoes, or vegetables. Other essential items such as kitchen utensils, clothes, raincoats, tarpaulins, and electrical products must be imported from other townships. Due to these operation gates and arrests, the price of rice surges significantly, and there is a black market.
Rainy Season (Monsoon season): Excessive rain destroys our main transport routes which connect villages and causes a lot of landslides. The rain and humidity can ruin our rice supplies as well if they are not stored properly. Many IDPs are dwelling in host communities, in nearly 80 villages. Therefore, the cost to transport supplies is now higher, since we must use many motorcycles and human resources during monsoon season.
Scarcity of Fuel and Medicine: Transport fees continue to rapidly increase due to the significant increase in fuel prices and fuel shortage. The price of basic medical supplies also continues to rise. Due to the lack of medicine and food scarcity, not only the IDPs, but also the villagers get sick quite easily. Cases of reported deaths are at least 50, although the actual number is likely higher, because data is still being collected.
Urgent Needs of Beneficiaries: Within Mindat Township, there are 9 administrative zones and each zone contains at least 20 villages. The committee has appointed zone representatives and there are also selected camp managers in village IDP camps. When the committee distributes the food supplies, including rice, and other hygiene kits, the representatives and managers receive them first. Then, they distribute the supplies to the local beneficiaries, such as IDPs and host communities.
Food transport: Currently, the problem is that in some cases the camp managers and representatives reported that they do not receive food supplies on time. Reasons for this may include: they want more supplies for security, or the food supply is not sufficient for them. Unfortunately, the Main Committee cannot provide enough supplies, as it receives limited donations. This is why we are asking for more help.
Lack of Telecommunications services: All phone and internet services are routinely being cut off within Mindat Township, which curtails effective communication with local donors.
Lack of Funding from international donors: We believe INGOs (e.g. ICRC, WFP, UNICEF, and International Humanitarians Funds) are trying to support us, but it seems the SAC does not allow them to come into villages where the majority of IDPs are staying. Some UN agencies and ICRC assistance came to Mindat in 2021, but the SAC only allowed them to distribute aid within Mindat town; they could not travel outside of Mindat town. This is why we are appealing to Better Burma, as they are able to send funds directly to our committee which allows us to make the necessary purchases.
Frequent SAC Clearance Operations: SAC troops destroy food supplies, burn houses, and arbitrarily kill civilians. Every time there is an SAC operation, the Main Committee also must evacuate with rice bags and transport some injured patients. During one of the last clearance operations, the SAC troops destroyed 60 rice bags, and burned 15 houses within Mindat Township.
Increase in Crime: Poverty is depriving people of their dignity in Mindat. As a result, there are an increasing number of thefts and robberies, as people are desperate to fulfill their daily needs.
Artillery strikes, bombs, and land mines: There were 18 casualties and more than 20 people were seriously injured among IDPs and villagers due to heavy artillery strikes from No. 274 Light Infantry Battalion. Leftover ordnance from land mines, and mortar shells from the battles between CDF-Mindat and SAC troops caused some civilian injuries.
Loss of Livelihoods: Neither IDPs nor villagers have income. The local economy is completely broken. They mainly grow elephant yam as their income source, and the yam market has crashed due to the coup (e.g. The price of 1 Kg of dried elephant yam was 12,000 MMK last year, but now it is only 4,000 MMK. Currently, transport routes are unsafe, and the SAC arrests people arbitrarily).
Receiving Cash: Local donors often provide us funds through local bank transfers, which come with a commission of up to 6-7% of the original fund, and then we must wait for the cash to arrive. Sometimes it takes one month to arrive! In addition, due to digital security and the unstable banking system, individual donors sometimes request to send funds to different accounts per donation, so that transactions cannot be traced as easily. This is to ensure the safety of both the donor and the recipient. This is also why the direct transfer that we request will help us much faster.