Humanitarian convoy to deliver aid to thousands displaced in Myanmar's Kachin State
Attachments
Convoy to deliver humanitarian aid to Laiza town for the first time in over 18 months
September 7, 2013- A humanitarian convoy left the Kachin State capital of Myitkyina this morning, to deliver food, medicines and other items to internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in the Woi Chyai Camp in Laiza town. This is the first time that the United Nations and its humanitarian partners have been permitted to deliver assistance to IDPs in Laiza since December 2011. Over 4300 people displaced by internal conflict and violence will receive essential aid supplies from various humanitarian agencies on this mission.
Welcoming the delivery of assistance to IDPs in Laiza, Ashok Nigam, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, thanked all sides of the conflict in Kachin State and said, “We are pleased that this much needed humanitarian assistance to the IDPs has been permitted. I hope that unhindered access to all the IDPs will be permitted by all sides under humanitarian principles.”
Humanitarian needs and vulnerability have increased substantially in Kachin State over the last two years. International humanitarian organizations are supporting local organizations in their efforts where they have access with the funds available.
On this convoy, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, and OCHA are providing assistance which also include Medecin Du Monde (MDM) and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). Food, medicines, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, tarpaulin sheets are among some of the items to be delivered over a four-day period. Aid workers on the ground will undertake needs assessments, speaking to local community members in order to assess their most urgent needs. They will also conduct trainings on camp management.
The conflict in Kachin and Northern Shan State has displaced an estimated 100,000 people. The number of registered IDPs staying in camps in these areas has reached more than 91,000 including over 53,000 in areas beyond the Government control.
Commenting on the peace and reconciliation efforts that are going forward, Mr. Nigam said, "We need durable solutions so that humanitarian conditions can be eased for those who are displaced".