The military has prevented the United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees (UNHCR) from providing vital assistance to the majority of civilians displaced after the Burma Army laid siege to the town of Mindat in May, and during the fighting that ensued with Chinland Defence Force in the weeks that followed.
When UNHCR representatives arrived in the small, mountain town in southern Chin State this Monday, the military informed them they could only help internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are living in the 10 camps in Mindat sanctioned by the regime, and not in camps in Mindat Township, where most of the IDPs live.
As many as 30,000 IDPs live in 10 to 12 camps located in areas of the township outside of the military regime’s control. Since the army took Mindat town, it has targeted groups and individuals attempting to deliver relief to the beleaguered camps.
“The UNHCR is not allowed to help IDPs living in remote villages and jungle; it is also prohibited from travelling to these areas,” an elder in Mindat told Khonumthung News.
A representative from the IDP committee in Mindat explained there are 10 camps in the town, however, residents from 5 of these camps have already returned home. Since the military is also preventing UNHCR from helping these civilians, there were only 5 camps that received support.
The elder said that aid distribution to about 500 people or 66 families in the 5 camps began on Tuesday, July 20. The UNHCR donated tarps, mosquito netting, mats, blankets, solar lamps and pots and kitchenware. Since the UN agency brought supplies to give to 5,000 IDPs, it is unclear what it did with the leftover items, which the military prevented from being donated to families outside the town.