An interview with an official of the IDP Camp Management Committee(Mindat)
July 16th, 2021
The Mindat-Civil Defense Force (CDF) has made a 14-day ceasefire agreement with the military council from June 20th to July 4th. The ceasefire comes after mediation and negotiation by the town-elders in Mindat Township of Chin State. Plan is under way to extend the ceasefire period. Since the ceasefire till date, there has been no fighting in Mindat. Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) return to their homes as peace and stability is restored to a certain degree in Mindat Township. But most of the IDPs remain in the IDP camps in the forests. The organizations helping the IDPs said the IDPs are still in need of assistance. The following is an interview with an official of the IDP Camp Management Committee in Mindat Township.
Q: How many IDP camps and IDPs are there in Mindat Township?
A: There are around 2,000 IDPs in Mindat Township. We plan to compile the lists of all IDPs at the end of this month. There are seven IDP camps.
Q: Did the IDPs go home as there is no fighting after the ceasefire between the military council and the Mindat CDF. How many IDPs return to their homes?
A: Some IDPs have returned to their homes. According to our estimate, around 20 to 30 per cent of the IDPs have gone home. We face the problem when we compile the lists. The IDPs have gone home to stay there forever. For instance, they go home after leaving their children. They repair their houses damaged by the fighting and cultivate elephant foot yam plantations. Some IDPs return to the IDP camps after doing it. Some IDPs stay in the camps during the ceasefire period. Most of the IDPs have no much trust although the military council urges the IDPs to return to their homes.
Q: It is a suitable time for the IDPs as there is no fighting. May I know your view on it?
A: In my personal view, my feelings will be identical to those of the IDPs. Because they may be left stranded if they return to their homes. It is not easy for the IDPs to go outside the IDP camps when the military council gets the exact number of the IDPs. There may be tortures of people. I don’t believe in it as I myself have faced a similar event before. The military-controlled media cover the news that the IDPs are urged to go home as peace is restored. I think the military council is doing this to showcase its good pictures.
Q: Can relief assistance be carried freely during the ceasefire between the military council and the CDF? What are the difficulties?
A: The transport of goods is not allowed as the ceasefire takes effect only in Mindat Township. We have to import rice and goods from the plain region. There is no ceasefire there. For instance, the military council has totally banned the transport of rice at Pauk gate and Saw gate. The military council also limits the purchase of paddy. It is not easy to carry rice freely. We can carry rice with the permission of the military council.
Q: What about the accommodation of the IDPs in Mindat? Do the IDPs get sufficient aid?
A: Mindat IDP camp management committee mainly provides assistance to the IDPs. The committee receives donations from home and abroad. We have to buy relief assistance using this money. Currently, we have to provide relief assistance to the IDPs and some villages. People in villages face difficulty as they are unable to buy rice in Mindat. Now the price of a rice bag has increased from Ks-30,000 to Ks-40,000-45,000. The villagers have no money to buy it. Commodity prices have skyrocketed. We cannot provide aid to the IDPs sufficiently. The villages also face a shortage of food.
Q: Are there any assistance provided by the INGOs and NGOs in the conflict-hit areas?
A: The ICRC asks for permission from the authorities several times to provide aid. The ICRC can enter downtown Mindat. It actually wants to go to the conflict-hit areas. The military council doesn’t allow it to enter the conflict-hit area. There is no entry of the INGOs and NGOs and assistance. We have to provide assistance to the IDPs with the donation of money from home and abroad.
Q: What are the major requirements for the IDPs?
A: The IDPs need all assistance. Daily existence and health care are more important. They are in need of rice, edible oil, salt, dry rations and medicine.
Q: The IDPs are unable to go home. What kinds of difficulties may the IDPs face in the future if they continue to stay in the IDP camps?
A: The IDPs may mainly face accommodation and food shortage problems if the resumption of fighting has caused the total road blockages. This is the most worrying thing. They can solve the accommodation problem by staying at the houses of their relatives. They may face a shortage of food and health problems. The elderly with chronic diseases and children are at high risk.
Sent by the KMG.
