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REFLECTING HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
A Kachin IDPs Relief Monitoring Report
KIO Controlled Area, Kachin State, Myanmar
February 28, 2014
A joint Humanitarian Research by TAT and RANIR
Written by: La Rip
Edited by: Stephen Gray
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ACCRONYM
BRIDGE Bridging Rural Integrated Development and Grassroots Empowerment
DGA Department of General Administration
DRC Danish Refugee Council
ECHO European Commission for Humanitarian Office
EVI Extremely Vulnerable Individual
HPA Health Poverty Action
LAB Laboratory
LHV Lady Health Visitor
LMP Licentiate Medical Practitioner
ICRC International Committee for Red Cross
IDPs Internally Displaced Persons
INGO International Non-Government Organization
IRRC IDPs and Refugee Relief Committee
JST Joint Strategy Team
KBC Kachin Baptist Convention
KBC-ERC KBC – Emergency Relief Committee
KCA KIO Controlled Area
KDG Kachin Development Group
KIO Kachin Independence Organization
KMSS Karuna Myanmar Social Services
KRDC Kachin Relief and Development Committee
KWA Kachin Women’s Association
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NGO Non-Government Organization
RANIR Relief Action Network for IDP and Refugee
RHC Rural Health Center
SCI Save the Children International
UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee
UNICEF United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
UNOCHA United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affair
UXO UN-exploded Ordnance
WASH Water, Sanitation and Hygienic
WFP World Food Programme
WPN Wunpawng Ninghtoi
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TABLE OF CONENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION ( 5 )
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY ( 6 )
PROCESS AND METHODOLOGY ( 6 )
HUMANITARIAN BACKGROUND IN BRIEF ( 7 )
ROLES OF LOCAL GROUPS IN THE EARLIER STAGE OF
HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE ( 8 )
Social Service Departments and Committees of KIO
Local Civil Society Groups In Relief Action for IDPs
At What Capacity Do The Local Groups Operate Relief Work?
Community Participation In IDPs Relief
Application Of Local Knowledge In Relief Coordination
Relief Coordination – Vital For Local CSOs and Civilian Departments of
KIO In Relief Assistance
RELIEF OPERATIONS Vs. DO NO HARM (13)
UN RELIEF CONVOY TO KCA (15)
A NIGHTMARE FUTURE (17)
CHALLENGE AS AN OPPORTUNITY (18)
CONCLUSION (18)
RECOMMENDATIONS (19)
ANNEXES (19)
1. Map of research coverage areas
2. IDP list update by IRRC December 29, 2013
3. Agreement between KIO and Union Peace-making Work Committee
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INTRODUCTION
As the readers of this paper might be aware, the conflict in Kachin state and northern Shan
state resumed in June 2011. It has displaced 120,000 has displaced IDPs that have spent a
tiresome three years living in un friendly IDP camps scattered throughout Kachin state and
northern Shan state. Fighting between Kachin Independent Army (KIA) and Myanmar Army
resumed on June 9, 2011 after seventeen years of fragile ceasefire between Kachin ethnic
armed organization and Myanmar government/army. The conflict has impaired the normal life
of tens of thousands of civilian since the war broke out. According to the data available from
IRRC, RANIR, UNCHR and UNOCHA, almost two third of the total IDPs are taking shelter in KIO
controlled areas in Kachin state and northern Shan state. It is assumed that the number of IDPs
could reach 120,000 (almost 10% of total Kachin ethnic population) throughout Kachin state
and northern Shan state.
Local civil society groups and KIO civilian departments and committees have demonstrated
their responsive action in the earlier emergency period. But it was not possible for them to
cover the total number of people displaced with the resources they had in hand, which were
mainly received from community contributions. Sooner or later national NGOs, faith based
organizations, INGOs and UN Humanitarian agencies joined the relief effort. The arrival of a UN
convoy of UNICEF, WFP and UNHCR led by UNOCHA for the first time on December 12, 2011
and Yangon based ICRC in the last week of February 2013 to Laiza were significant
developments in the Kachin humanitarian response from international community, though
international assistance has been infrequent and largely insufficient to meet demands for long
periods of the conflict.
This “Kachin IDPs Relief Monitoring” is not a comparative study of any kind. The study is based
on local knowledge and context with the aim to 1) promote fulfillment of the rights of IDPs
(United Nations’ “Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement” and “Sphere” standard), 2) to
understand the ongoing humanitarian situation in Kachin state, particularly in KIO Controlled
areas, and 3) to support response by humanitarian agencies – local, national and international
including UN Humanitarian agencies.
The IDPs relief monitoring was conducted by a Laiza-based local relief network called “Relief
Action Network for IDP and Refugee (RANIR)” during the period of December 2013 to January
2014, targeting nine different IDP camps located along the Sino-Myanmar border in Kachin
state. This monitoring report explores the inter-twined relief operations by various relief
agencies – local, national and international. It highlights the strengths, challenges and scopes of
the local groups in delivering humanitarian assistance, as well as their relationship with
international relief agencies and vice versa.
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OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:
1) To promote effective relief effort by local groups, national NGOs, INGOs, and UN
Agencies particularly in KIO controlled area in Kachin state;
2) To identify gaps in relief coordination, and overlapping of relief work;
3) To share information to the local and international relief agencies.
PROCESS AND METHODOLOGY
Relief monitoring involves the following process. The study design used FGDs, interviews with
key informants from local relief groups and beneficiaries, and secondary data collection. This
study was implemented by the local humanitarian research team from the Research and
Documentation Desk of RANIR.
Fig. (1). Study Design And Process
All IDP camps based in border areas have been covered by this study. Three teams with two
members each were deployed in three different clusters – Laiza Cluster (Woi Chyai, Gat, and Je
Yang IDP camp), Maija Yang (Nhkawng Pa, Pa Kahtawng, Lana Zup Ja, Hka Hkye IDP Camps), and
Sadung (Maga Yang, Hkau Shau, Border Post – 8 IDP camps). There was total of nine FGDs in
nine separate locations, and sixty key informant interviews, whereas to get the secondary
Consultation
Format
Development
Training/
Orientation, and
Pilot Test
Deployment
Plan
Report Back
Session
Data
Compilation
Research
Designing/Planning
Identifying
Partner/Research
Dissemination Report Writing
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information a set of questionnaires was distributed to nine different camps. The key informants
included persons in charge of relief programmes in the area from KMSS-Bahmo, KBC-ERC
(Yinjiang), WPN, BRIDEG, KDG, IRRC, HPA, KWA, Health Department of KIO, Education
Department of KIO, KRDC, Hpyin Yang Baptist Church, RCM and KBC Church of Laiza, and
Metta; as well as beneficiaries, and staff of local relief organizations. The study is more
qualitative in nature, using a set of open ended questions aimed to find out the more
comprehensive information related to the relief operation and the assistance the IDPs have
been received.
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION BACK GROUND IN BRIEF
Waves of displacement of IDPs began since June 9, 2011 as the conflict started between Kachin
Independence Army (KIA) and Myanmar Government forces after a seventeen year of fragile
cease fire since 1994. The number of IDPs continued to increase as the degree of conflict
escalated in the following months. First displacement of IDPs started in Gauri Krung area where
the whole village of Sang Gang was forced to flee their village as the government troops
launched attack in the pretext of providing security to the joint China-Myanmar project of Ta
Ping hydro power dam in Moe Mauk Township in Kachin state. The number of IDPs increased as
the conflict spread to all parts of Kachin state and northern Shan state where KIA has its bases.
Most of the seventeen camps in KCA are located in remote and inconvenient geographic
terrain. These locations were based on where IDPs could find places to be safer than anywhere
else.
As a result of the conflict, a massive humanitarian crisis arose, which according to local sources
is the biggest incident ever. The majority of the estimated 120,000 IDPs fled to KCA, while
roughly one third fled to government controlled urban areas. A handful of local organizations
based in KCA and civilian departments of KIO tried their best to provide assistance to the IDPs in
the first instance. But the humanitarian situation remains unabated as the local groups
themselves do not have resources in hand and also they do not have experience in dealing with
such a huge humanitarian crisis. Many areas are also hard-to-reach for the external
humanitarian agencies, but not for the local groups, which places a burden on them to serves
these areas. Gaps in humanitarian assistance have been filling up by international humanitarian
agencies including UN humanitarian agencies in the country.
Since the beginning when IDPs started to arrive in to KCA, they have survived only with external
assistance. IDPs have lost their normal livelihood, and have little opportunity to even make
meager family income in the areas where they are taking refuge for nearly three years. One
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cannot even imagine what life IDPs would really look like if the situation remains unabated and
international assistance is interrupted.
ROLES OF LOCAL GROUPS IN THE EARLIER STAGE OF HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Social Service Departments And Committees Of KIO
i. Civilian Departments - that directly related and responsive to relief are Education
Department, Health Department, Department of General Administration (DGA). They
have been social service providers throughout the KIO controlled areas in Kachin state
and northern Shan state for many years. During the seventeen years of ceasefire period
these departments have able to expand services to a significant level. Education
Department has been running more than 300 Schools (Primary, Middle, and High
school) where as Health Department runs three hospitals and dozens of Rural health
Centers (RHC) throughout the KIO controlled areas of Kachin state and northern Shan
state.
“We have total 106 health workers ( LMP -10, LHV – 5, Blue staff – 6, Nursing
Diploma – 53, LAB – 12, Mid wife – 6, Nurse Aid – 14), have been deployed in all
the IDP camps where we have set up clinics in 17 IDP camps in our controlled
area, said a relief programme in charge of KIO’s health department.”
Upon the arrival of thousands of IDPs to the KIO controlled area these departments
provided first hand response by providing primary health care services, accommodating
the incoming IDP students in the existing schools, and provision of food items, non-food
items, and providing temporary shelters in spare spaces and in vacant community halls.
The health department claims that it has opened health centers in all the IDP camps
with the deployment of 106 trained health workers to provide primary health services
to the IDPs.
ii. Committees Of KIO - Kachin Relief and Development Committee (KRDC) has been active
since the early 90s and has experience of working on community development projects.
When IDPs fled to the border region under KIO controlled areas, KIO strengthened the
ad hoc relief committee that was formed in 2009. This committee was formed in
response to skirmishes in Kokang area between government troop and Kokang armed
group that displaced tens of thousands IDPs at the time. The committee is IDPs and
Refugees Relief Committee (IRRC), and is an umbrella organization of different civilian
departments of KIO including DGA, KRDC and Kachin Women’s Association (KWA). The
IRRC takes a leading role in providing shelter, food, health and education assistance, and
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camp management to the incoming IDPs in the first stage. Local groups’ joint actions in
the IDP areas are also supplemented by the IRRC’s relief effort.
Local Civil Society Groups In Relief Action For IDPs
Very few local groups exist, particularly in border area working on local community projects
for only a couple of years. Some of them have been in existence for almost a decade or
more while particularly WPN and RANIR are newly formed groups to work on the present
humanitarian crisis of an unprecedented scale. Local groups were not ready to address the
urgent humanitarian crisis arising out of armed conflict where tens of thousands of IDPs
displaced in a short span of time staring from June, 2011. These groups are rather small
and do not have experience and resources to effectively deliver assistance in time of
emergency crisis. In spite of these disadvantages, they are important because they know
the local context and situation well. They have knowledge and skills in finding alternatives
to get access to the areas where IDPs are taking refuge even in the time of tense fighting
and blockages of routes. All of them have well organized structures, set goal and objectives,
and have financial management procedure for their respective organization. These groups
have able to demonstrate responsive action to the emergency humanitarian situation with
the time, energy and resources they have in invested locally.
The local groups operating in the border areas have been joined by local and national NGOs
and faith based organizations. Although these National NGOs – Karuna Myanmar Social
Services (KMSS), Shalom Foundation, Metta Development Foundation, and Kachin Baptist
Convention (KBC) do not have offices in KCA, they have been working in the area on
development projects during the peaceful time and have good knowledge of the local
situation. “Local organizations have the capacity to provide earlier response to
humanitarian crisis in emergency time. This is very important and it is their unique strength”,
said a local relief coordinator from Kachin Baptist Convention.
Table (1). List Of Local Humanitarian Organizations Working On Kachin IDP Relief
Sr. No. Name of Organization Local/National Note
1 Kachin Development Group (KDG) Local KCA based
2 Kachin Women’s Association (KWA) Local KCA based
3 Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT) Local KCA based
4 Kachin Youth Organization (KYO) Local Northern Shan state
5 Pan Kachin Development Society (PKDS) Local KCA based
6 BRIDGE Local KCA based
7 Wunpawng Ninghtoi (WPN) Local; formed in 2011
KCA based
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8 Karuna Myanmar Social Services (KMSS) National Faith based
9 Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) National Faith based
10 Shalom Foundation National
11 Metta Development Foundation National
12 Relief Action Network for IDP and Refugee (RANIR) Local; formed in 2011
A ‘KCA’ based Relief Coordination body
13 Local KBC Churches Local Laiza Church
14 Local Roman Catholic Churches Local Laiza Church
15 Health Poverty Action (HPA) International Laiza based since more than a decade
16 Kachin Relief and Development Committee (KRDC) Local Civilian Committee of KIO
17 IDPs and Refugees Relief Committee (IRRC) Local Civilian Committee of KIO
What is the Operating Capacity of Local Relief Groups?
The local civil society organizations particularly based in border areas have been working for
the community development work for years. They have considerable experience on
planning, programming, budgeting, reviewing and evaluating, and sound knowledge of the
local context. They are familiar with the project cycle management. They have the
experience of receiving financial assistance from international donors, and thus have good
financial records detailing budgeting and expenditure. As per their goals, objectives and
missions, they have the mandate to work for community development as well as assisting
the people in need.
The adaptability of local organizations is also worth mentioning. Most of these organizations
did not have experience in relief work, except Metta and Shalom which have experience of
relief work in Nargis Cyclone affected areas of the Delta region in 2008. When the
humanitarian crisis surfaced in Kachin state and northern Shan state, these organizations
and civilian departments of KIO are the ones to plunge into action to assist tens of
thousands of IDPs flocking in a short span of time. Some of the groups teamed up to form a
relief team called Wunpawng Ninghtoi (WPN) – actively providing assistance to the IDPs till
today. At the same time ‘Relief Action Network for IDP and Refugee (RANIR) was formed as
a relief coordinating body encompassing all the local organizations and civilian departments
of KIO.
Capacity building initiatives for the local groups was an early priority. Followed by camp
management training, and humanitarian principle (Sphere) training that was conducted just
months after the crisis started, members of the local organization attended capacity
building trainings organized by themselves as well as by international partner orgnizations.
Many of the visiting international organizations and individuals appreciate the way IDP
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camps are managed, and relief operations have been running by the local relief mechanism.
These organizations have developed to their fullest capacity through work experience as
well as the experience gained through consortium relief work with INGOs and UN
Humanitarian agencies. They are able to act as a means to channel international funds to
beneficiaries and increase their own skills in the process. International partners of the local
groups that have been funding IDP relief include Save the Children, Trocaire, Oxfam GB,
Solidarity International, Caritas International, Care Myanmar, ECHO, UNOCHA, UNHCR,
WFP, UNICEF, etc..
The only disadvantage they have right now would be their illegal status. International
organizations, particularly the UN agencies, told them that they cannot fund and work with
the local organizations since they do not have proper registration with the ministries
concerned of the government. Except the national NGOs, most of these local organizations
are not registered and they are weak in organizational financial resources. Key informants
from local relief organizations affirmed lack of financial resources is one of the main
challenges for local organizations while delivering assistance to IDPs. They are worried and
cannot even imagine the nightmare for IDPs if funding stops, if the conflict escalates more,
and if the situation continues to another cycle of these last precarious years.
Community Participation in IDP Relief
Active participation of local community members, individuals and local Churches had been
visible when IDPs in large numbers arrived as the fighting broke out. The Church ministries
and individuals from the local community came out with handfuls of food and non-food
items to reach out to the IDPs directly or through IRRC. In Maija Yang area a group of
women working in different local organizations teamed up together to reach out to the IDPs
in those areas. That particular team of relief volunteers has now turned into a fully-fledged
local humanitarian agency, Wunpawng Ninghtoi (WPN), whereas in Laiza area local
Churches formed respective relief committee to provide assistance with available resources.
In same time Laiza Youth Committee and Kachin Development Group (KDG) formed a relief
volunteer mobilization which afterward mobilized more than 300 volunteers, mainly Kachin
youth who came from all over the country.
At the same time individuals from the community, and Kachin brethren in China also
extended assistance to the IDPs with the resources they have in hand. Remarkably a Kachin
Church in China side has been active since then in providing assistance with the community
donations and contribution from with the church. The local contribution has been a great
help in the time of emergency.
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“We have been working hard on assisting IDPs across the border from this side
[Yin Jiang, China] since the outbreak of war with the contributions received from
community, and Church fund. So far I know that many people and many
organizations [local and international] are also helping our people in hardship as
war refugee. But I know we have to continue assisting them as their condition is
so bad and I feel sympathetic towards them”, said a women Church leader from
Yin Jiang, China.
Application Of Local Knowledge In Relief Coordination
A local arrangement, the Kachin Civil Society Coordination Team (KCSCT), had been in place
to bring coordinated action in local community development projects among the local CSOs
and civilian departments and committees (Education, Health, Community Development,
and women’s affair committee) of KIO prior to 2011. But this arrangement was not well
developed and did not function sufficiently to cover wide-ranging issues and to
accommodate diverse interest groups. With the lessons learned from this experience and
the situation turning into an unmanageable condition, local civil society groups and civilian
departments of KIO came up with an idea to form an arrangement for coordinated relief
action to avoid overlaps and to manage the resources more effectively towards specified
targeted needs. Relief Action Network for IDP and Refugee (RANIR), also known as “Hpyen
Yen Lakawn Lanawn Jinghkri (HLJ)” in Kachin has been formed to coordinate relief work.
RANIR conducts assessments, tracks humanitarian activities by maintaining a Who Is Doing,
What, Where data base, collects humanitarian documentation, conducts humanitarian
advocacy, and shares relief information among the network organizations under RANIR, as
well as to external humanitarian agencies and donors.
RANIR organizes frequent coordination meetings participated in by all the founding
members. These meetings are meant to create space for organizations to raise issues, to
identify the humanitarian gaps, and find effective tools to address the problems together.
RANIR conducted the “Kachin Humanitarian Rapid Needs Assessment” in December 201,
and presented the findings to UNOCHA organized Kachin Humanitarian Response plan
Workshop in Yangon to help develop overall Kachin humanitarian response plan for the
year (2012-2013) and (2013 – 2014). Now all the local relief organizations working in KCA
have joined the local relief coordination meetings organized by RANIR.
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Relief Coordination - Vital For Local CSOs And Civilian Departments Of KIO In Relief
Assistance
The local organizations based in the border areas, particularly in the KCA, have the
experience of working closely with the civilian departments of KIO in the implementation of
community development projects. They have knowledge of local working mechanisms,
context and conditions, and hence they have good knowledge on how to work hand in hand
with KIO’s civilian departments. RANIR is the one to coordinate overall relief effort where
civilian departments, committees, and even IRRC get involved, encouraging RANIR to do
more on relief work for promoting the welfare of IDPs.
- “We participate in local relief coordination meetings at RANIR as well as the
recently formed a local arrangement of ‘Joint Strategy Team’. We also have good
contact with the UN Agencies, INGOs and involve in the UNOCHA led relief
coordination mechanism”, said the relief coordinator of WPN.
- “We have been working having in contact with local groups, KMSS, KBC, Metta,
and Shalom in relief work”, said an official from Education Department of KIO.
There has also been briefings and consultations among IRRC and local relief groups
regarding relief work for the better cooperation, and more effective implementation of
relief projects. IRRC is considered as the authoritative body regarding the IDPs affairs,
particularly in KCA as well as for the IDPs in government controlled areas.
RELIEF OPERATIONS Vs. DO NO HARM
Relief assistance needs to involve a great deal of resources, work load, time and energy.
Organizations receiving support for humanitarian assistance should follow the sequences of-
Step 1: Understanding the context of conflict
Step 2: Analyzing dividers (divisions) and tensions
Step 3: Analyzing connectors (that can help ameliorate dividers) and local capacities for peace
Step 4: Analyzing the assistance programme
Step 5: Analyzing the assistance programme’s impact on dividers and connectors
Step 6: Considering (and generating) programming options
Step 7: Test programming options and redesign project
The local groups have better knowledge of the local situation and context and are the most
mandated agencies to response to the humanitarian situation. Because they have the best local
knowledge, they are in a very good position to understand the context and determine whether
interventions might inadvertently cause harm. This provides benefit for the local population, as
well as useful advice for national and international actors wishing to have a favorable impact on
local dynamics through their interventions.
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Local organisations have established coordination mechanisms to bring concerted relief action.
International presence was hardly visible in the early stage of the crisis. These local
organizations are also participating in the UN organized relief coordination meetings as well as
other local coordination meetings. Now there are local groups that are effectively channeling
the international relief fund to the targeted beneficiaries, strengthened through their
experience of working with INGOs and UN Humanitarian agencies.
Based on the information from the relief monitoring using relief indicators below, it is seen that
responses to relief monitoring questions are satisfactory overall. But when individual indicator
questions are studied, there have been responses that IDPs are not being consulted well, and
the groups still do not follow minimum Sphere standard at times. On the other hand, as a sign
of good practice relief organizations have able to avoid overlapping of relief programes. Due to
this reason considerable resources might have been saved.
Table (2) Table Showing Relief Indicators in KCA
No Questions Yes (1) /No (0)
Border Post 8
Hkau Shau
Maga Yang
Woi Chyai
Je Yang
N-Hkawng
Pa
Pa Kahtawng
Lana Zup Ja
Hka Hkye
1 Items distributed and activities conducted are in line with people’s needs and right 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 Have clear selection criteria of “beneficiaries” 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1
3 Distribution according to specific individual need 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
4 Recipients are informed in advance about the contents, items, schedule and date for the distributions and activities in the camp 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1
5 IDPs have been consulted 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 People aware of the organizations [their names] providing relief assistance 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1
7 Complaint mechanism in place and IDPs’ complaints are being heard and properly addressed/dealt with
1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1
8 Does the group has proper understanding on the minimum Sphere standards 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
9 Does there any visible sign that indicates mainstreaming of cross cutting issues such as - gender, rights of IDPs, and development, etc.. 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0
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10 Items distributed and structure constructed are being used for the original purpose it was intended 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
11 Proper coordination with Local and other actors on the ground takes place 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
12 Is there any mechanism to coordinate in the programme level and field level 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1
13 Any overlapping and over gap of the relief activities 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 The activity builds on IDPs-Community resilience and/or has a DRR component 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1
Total 10 9 7 11 6 7 8 10 9
Fig. (1) Graph Showing Relief Indicators in KCA
UN RELIEF CONVOY TO KCA
It is not too late to have international humanitarian agencies present in the border areas for
relief assistance to IDPs in KCA or otherwise hard-to-reach areas. Their presence and
involvement in relief efforts is of great support for local groups.
INGOs and local organizations have long partnership experience from before the conflict, which
has helped channel international relief funding through the local organization and settings in
place. TROCAIRE, Oxfam International, Danish Refugee Council (DRC), MSF Holland, AZG and
0
24
68
10
12Border Post 8
Hkau Shau
Maga Yang
Woi Chyai
Je YangN-Hkawng Pa
Pa Kahtawng
Lana Zup Ja
Hka Hkye
Series1
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MDM are worth mentioning that were proactive in providing assistance in emergency time
through local organizations.
A convoy of UN humanitarian team led by UNOCHA arrived to Laiza in early December of 2011
for the first time and brought in truck-load of relief items, which they said were the items they
had in store at that time. It was a great relief for local organizations, but unfortunately those
items could not cover the total IDPs in Laiza alone. The convoys did not come back to IDP camps
in Laiza for another year after however, only back again in the middle of 2013. The convoy
instead had visited IDP camps in Maija Yang area in 2012 two or three times. But the frequency
of the convoy [the UN called it as ‘cross line mission’] increased significantly in 2013. It is seen
in the below graph that some of the camps based along the border have never been reached by
UN relief convoy yet.
Fig. (2) Graph Showing Frequency of UN Cross line Humanitarian to KCA Mission
We do not exactly know how the UN humanitarian agencies need to follow official procedures
to organize a humanitarian convoy to IDPs camp in KCA. But the reasons stated according to the
concerned UN staff, for not being able to come to IDP camps in KCA in timely manner was
because of the security reason, and restrictions from government. It is seen that local groups
and KIO welcome the UN assistance and feel supported when they come. Local groups are pre-
occupied with the view that the UN can provide relief assistance effectively as long as the needs
of IDPs remain persist.
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“They bring in relief items without learning what local groups have been providing to the
IDPs. They did not even inform us when they arrive, and they went back without knowing
when they will come back again. But now, when they arrive they contact local groups
and shared the list of items they bring in”, said a local relief coordinator in Maija Yang
area.
“The way they assisted IDPs, I believe is not effective since they do not come regularly. And they
do not even know when they will come again and when the government will allow them to
come”, said secretary of a civilian committee of KIO assisting IDPs in the border areas.
“I think, UN Agencies can be the ones to effective provide relief assistance to the IDPs if
they can come at frequent interval as needed”, said an official from a relief committee of
KIO.
“We can learn a lot from them; once they come they provided us trainings on various topics
concerning humanitarian assistance. Working with them benefited us in improving capacity of
our staff and our organization. It is an opportunity for us to have them here and to be working
with them in the field”, said a relief worker from Laiza based women organization.
“Once they arrive, we will see a lot of media coverage. But very little news will be known
about us, who are here for years assisting IDPs. Once media cover about UN aid groups
in Laiza or Maija Yang people from other countries might perceive that the IDPs problem
is solved, and thus individuals and community contribution almost stop”, said a staff
working in a relief coordination office.
A NIGHTMARE FUTURE
It has been already nearly three years that IDPs have been spending such a harsh life in those
unfriendly IDP camps in the jungle areas of border areas since the conflict erupted. Although
negotiation between the KIO and government continues and agreement on four pilot sites for
IDP return [agreement 2.(c). between KIO and Union Peace-making Work Committee, October
10, 2013] were agreed last year, the condition of IDPs has still not been improved yet. Their life
remains precarious and blurred. The beneficiaries during the interview stated their worries for
the future on going back to their original villages. They long for the time to come when they can
return back to their home villages, and now tired of the painful experience of being IDPs for
years surviving just on external assistance. They are not content to merely continue to receive
assistance. They think they have no hope any more and want a chance to go back to their home
villages to live on their own without any external assistance or interference. “Thinking of going
back at this time is a night mare for me as I have witnessed a person from our camp on
18 | P a g e
returning back to his village to look after abandoned farm land stepped on the land mine and
lost his life. There might still be a lot of land mines and unexploded ordnances (UXO) still in our
village and nearby. I do not dare to go back home in this situation, said a beneficiary during an
interview.”
THE CHALLENGES THAT PAVE OPPORTUNITY
It was not an easy thing for the local community and organizations to take up the work to assist
such a huge number of IDPs. The situation was new to them all and it was beyond their
manageable capacity. Although the local people have the experience of supporting IDPs in the
past, there was not such a huge problem compared to the present situation in terms of scale of
conflict, number of IDPs, peace process and international presence.
The local groups had very little access to international community and donors. The situation,
condition, legal status, and the location where they are based are to be blamed for such
limitations. Lack of knowledge and skills can be improved over night but situation, condition
and legal status are beyond their control. All the while IDPs continue to remain in the camps
and need continue assistance to survive on.
In spite all of these challenges international interest and presence in the IDP relief is a great
help to the IDPs and the local groups as well. IDPs feel more secured and local groups have
opportunity to open up network outside their settings when they work with international
humanitarian agencies engaging in humanitarian assistance to the IDPs in KCA. The local groups
come to learn more about the skills and principles of humanitarian assistance. Knowledge and
skills on relief coordination, advocacy, documentation, humanitarian principles, Minimum
Sphere standard, designing of sectorial relief programmes such as WASH, Protection on EVI,
Food Items, Non-food items, Education, and health, etc., have been newly acquired by the local
groups. By this stage the local orgnizations have become better equipped to provide support,
but IDPs are still in the aggravated situation longing for peace to be prevailed, and finally go
back to their original villages to lead normal life again better than before.
CONCLUSION
Compared to the condition early in the conflict, the humanitarian situation of IDPs in KCA is
improved. Assistance has never been interrupted since the time displacement began because of
the joint efforts of local and international humanitarian agencies as well as the KIO. Local
groups have acquired knowledge and skills to increase their capacity, and have set up
19 | P a g e
mechanisms for relief coordination. The presence of International humanitarian agencies in the
areas has improved to a significant extent. Life in the camp is improved compared to the past
years. It is true that people want know-how before they receive aid to help themselves. Thanks
to the government for allowing the UN and International humanitarian connives to have
frequent visits to the IDP camps in KCA.
In spite of all these improvements and continued cease-fire negotiations, concerns and worries
of IDPs are significant after nearly three years and their assistance needs remain. They worry
that life in the camps will continue for years to come, that international assistance might stop,
that fighting might escalate, or that government will restricts external assistance.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Local groups as well as international relief agencies improve delivery of relief assistance
to make t more consistent with the needs of IDPs. This is achieved by a proper
understanding of the ground realities and proper consultation with the beneficiaries.
2. Local and International humanitarian agencies including UN agencies should build up
more concrete and pragmatic coordination mechanisms to effectively serve the IDPs to
avoid further harm (dependency, overlapping of the programmes and over gaping of the
needs, etc.) and improve the welfare of IDPs.
3. IDPs in Kachin state and northern Shan state are assisted continuously as long as the
situation remains.
4. Complementarity of relief effort needs to be promoted rather than fueling competitive
scenarios.
5. Government and KIO should respect the humanitarian mandate of relief groups and
facilitate more local and international assistances to IDPs, whereas UN and International
humanitarian agencies should try to reach all the IDPs camps along the border without
any further delay.
6. Channeling relief funding and items through local organization would produce long
term, positive and sustainable impacts because they are well positioned with the right
local knowledge to do the job. But before delivering aid, the locals should be provided
with additional know-how capacity.
ANNEXES
1. Map of research coverage area
2. IDPs list update by IRRC (December 29, 2013)
3. Agreement between KIO and Union Peace-making Work Committee
MF
MF
MF
MF
MF
MF
MF
TT
IC
ENTR
AL D
IVISIO
N (C
Div.)
60
32
21
03
19
78
35
60
36
32
30
16
32
47
21
41
24
30
14
03
16
48
72
79
37
16
09
31
78
28
33
92
13
00
45
Sadu
ng G
inw
ang
13
26
50
34
22
84
11
03
05
98
72
03
74
49
23
14
33
71
66
18
13
25
63
63
66
89
25
84
7
11
Zai Aw
ng D
aban
g ( c )1
96
48
24
02
05
36
53
45
20
13
29
14
82
72
17
82
09
78
62
12
10
14
22
26
32
24
04
22
Masat Sh
adaw
-6 ( c ) 1
01
15
54
35
99
10
18
29
04
34
02
32
79
13
31
03
06
61
65
88
33
Masat Sh
adaw
-8 ( c ) 1
62
03
10
61
00
20
11
97
15
01
63
98
99
53
48
44
67
65
26
74
13
26
72
5
44
Masat Sh
adaw
-(12) Dab
ang &
Hkau
Shau
( c ) 1
11
67
10
38
21
76
38
71
65
13
88
58
16
05
33
53
96
24
78
01
40
41
21
6
55
Wu
t maw
& Sh
ing Jai ( c ) ( ? )
19
34
60
45
49
14
91
4
Laiza M
uklu
m1
64
24
17
48
27
52
75
47
64
92
35
29
59
63
11
39
71
81
23
55
63
76
88
91
25
26
11
99
5
61
Wo
i Ch
yai Dab
ang ( c )
79
78
92
61
29
84
90
50
75
81
57
53
77
38
22
31
24
91
16
14
72
05
62
15
84
21
43
75
0
72
Masat (3
) Gat D
aban
g ( c )7
04
98
15
61
84
26
22
47
18
33
48
15
22
14
80
14
86
58
88
98
12
29
21
27
21
27
83
Laiza Mu
klum
Hp
yen Yen
Mu
ngsh
awa n
i3
55
19
83
24
67
44
50
43
83
94
IDP
Bo
ardin
g Scho
ol, A
Len B
um
70
01
03
51
73
51
73
5
Laiza G
inw
ang
30
64
11
83
10
74
19
67
18
48
16
54
16
04
12
38
13
42
77
89
14
38
05
21
72
00
73
03
14
50
31
22
03
10
1M
aga Yang D
aban
g ( c )2
66
23
22
41
98
39
83
98
19
22
12
20
42
90
17
62
26
84
12
31
27
81
44
72
72
52
71
0
11
2P
ajau D
aban
g ( c )2
01
72
60
61
11
08
56
09
63
08
02
84
42
52
83
13
39
47
07
70
7
12
3Je Yan
g Hka D
aban
g ( c )6
81
68
86
60
61
71
08
99
90
11
29
10
32
74
77
02
43
95
02
21
52
68
42
79
41
11
83
90
61
88
13
4H
pu
n Lu
m Yan
g Dab
ang ( c )
47
46
21
76
14
92
88
27
82
21
20
61
99
21
11
09
10
64
08
41
03
31
03
42
06
71
98
5
14
5D
um
Bu
ng D
aban
g ( c ) 1
41
19
63
49
82
97
52
58
58
59
26
36
16
18
29
73
17
61
46
13
IIEA
STERN
DIV
ISION
(E Div.)
43
56
81
68
90
21
83
20
12
83
81
33
55
15
82
04
17
60
12
41
42
01
06
12
12
04
62
26
58
22
65
8
Mai Ja Y
ang G
aiwan
g5
16
20
92
19
71
06
41
27
85
04
10
91
94
75
13
75
68
21
43
71
77
73
21
43
21
4
15
1P
a Kah
tawn
g Dab
ang ( c )
90
51
62
09
21
97
10
64
12
78
50
41
09
19
47
51
37
56
82
14
37
17
77
32
14
32
14
Man
Maw
Gin
wan
g1
35
25
09
56
51
34
21
24
84
50
71
33
51
54
63
03
39
91
58
30
53
78
54
53
98
32
48
32
4
16
1Lan
a Zup
Ja Dab
ang ( c )
59
54
02
22
24
86
60
65
92
03
32
81
42
22
48
31
26
58
75
13
68
16
60
30
28
30
28
17
2Lan
a Zup
Ja ( Bo
arder 1
) 6
08
41
44
14
4
18
3Lan
a Zup
Ja (Bo
arder 2
) [Nam
Lim P
a na h
tawt w
a]1
58
16
33
21
32
1
19
4B
um
Tsit Pa D
aban
g 1 ( c )
28
17
47
07
62
27
10
04
07
44
37
13
44
81
83
34
32
40
28
34
83
4
20
5B
um
Tsit Pa D
aban
g 2 ( c )
18
28
79
19
41
01
10
37
31
12
91
11
64
75
46
54
45
45
70
10
24
10
24
21
6N
hkaw
ng P
a Dab
ang ( c )
16
38
51
41
13
92
52
25
97
71
57
69
13
71
10
14
76
19
97
10
93
81
64
81
64
8
22
7Lo
i Je (5 Cam
ps)
33
25
37
61
02
20
32
30
13
01
54
97
11
47
67
82
14
46
03
72
21
32
51
32
5
Total
in cam
pn
o.o
f
villages
HP
YEN
YEN
MA
SHA
JAH
PA
N (ID
P list)
Srl.
No
Total re
gistered
IDP
Age gro
up
(Asak)
H/H
< 5 yrs6-15 yrs
16-30 yrs31-45 yrs
46-5
9 yrs> 6
0 Yrs
Gin
wan
g Gin
jaw
, Gin
wan
g hte D
aban
g myin
g (Nam
es o
f divisio
n,
district a
nd
camp
s)
Up
dated
date: 2
9 /1
2 / 2
01
3.
U Lan
g Pa G
inw
ang
24
88
98
10
61
31
12
31
10
11
85
58
03
96
52
73
35
39
05
73
01
11
20
11
12
0
23
1N
am H
kam K
BC
( Jaw C
amp
) ( c ) 8
78
17
72
19
39
63
96
24
2N
am H
kam R
CM
(pd
efa
om
rwf) Jaw
ng ( c )
73
66
37
31
36
13
6
25
3N
am H
kam M
alut Jak K
awn
g ( c )5
73
64
63
12
71
27
26
4N
am H
kam ( P
alawn
g Cam
p) ( c )
33
61
61
17
23
33
33
3
27
5M
an W
ing R
CM
Jawn
g ( c ) 3
43
47
76
88
04
15
72
15
72
28
6M
an W
ing K
BC
Jawn
g Wan
g ( c ) 3
01
46
33
63
67
70
37
03
29
7M
an W
ing kaw
nga
31
04
54
66
91
12
31
12
3
30
8M
an W
ing R
CM
( Bo
arder )
82
88
17
01
70
31
9M
an W
in K
BC
( Bo
arder )
69
86
15
51
55
32
10
Hka H
kye Zup
( c )9
54
18
22
24
19
11
18
15
21
51
59
10
82
10
51
87
18
7
33
11
Lagat Yang ( c )
30
19
28
08
41
07
10
49
91
00
40
59
34
50
18
23
37
84
20
79
87
98
341
2N
am H
ka Mare ( c ) ( ? )
73
26
13
76
63
76
37
35
13
Bu
m m
are hkan
na (h
idin
g in 1
8 villages) ( ? )1
02
92
24
92
09
04
33
94
33
9
36
14
Mah
kaw Yan
g *6
81
63
12
52
88
28
8
37
15
Nam
Hp
u *
46
83
73
15
61
56
IIISO
UTH
ERN
DIV
ISION
(S Div.)
59
74
55
15
87
27
27
72
44
52
81
96
12
36
64
39
27
19
27
19
38
1M
un
g Baw
Pa D
aban
g ( c ) 4
12
35
03
50
3
39
2M
un
gji Pa D
aban
g ( c ) 6
71
33
16
32
96
29
6
40
3N
am H
pak K
a Mare D
aban
g ( c ) 5
81
27
52
75
41
4H
ka San (M
un
g Go
Pa ) ( c )
53
19
21
92
42
5M
an D
un
g Dab
ang
53
15
61
56
43
6H
pai K
awn
g Mare
32
18
71
87
44
7N
am Tu
1
87
47
4
45
8M
un
g Yu ( c )
86
52
75
27
46
9P
ing B
un
39
25
25
25
33
28
36
13
22
11
71
51
03
12
82
31
23
1
47
10
Loi K
ang
31
65
52
13
11
11
41
22
62
6
48
11
Loi Sayan
13
67
88
11
10
53
24
32
35
34
69
69
49
12
Man
Sing
29
14
18
19
26
28
29
51
71
48
14
81
10
21
83
18
3
IVN
OR
THER
N D
IVISIO
N (N
Div.)
41
50
00
00
00
00
00
02
34
02
43
14
77
14
77
1
50
1N
ingd
ang K
awn
g Mare D
aban
g 1
01
82
44
24
2
51
2Sh
aJeng Yan
g Mare
25
38
8
52
3N
aura Yan
g Mare D
aban
g 1
11
22
33
53
5
53
4H
krang H
ti Dam
& D
ari Yang
81
71
53
23
2
54
5Tin
g Hp
ang M
are3
12
43
64
55
31
22
12
11
53
63
6
55
6Su
mp
ra B
um
Gin
wan
g * ( ? )1
39
11
45
22
84
32
84
3
56
7law
k Hkaw
ng G
inw
ang * ( ? )
37
28
76
89
91
77
51
77
5
VW
ESTERN
DIV
ISION
(W D
iv.)3
75
00
00
00
00
00
00
74
29
49
11
69
11
16
91
57
1Law
t Aw
ng M
are * ( ? )
63
75
74
29
49
16
91
16
91
58
2H
pakan
Gin
wan
g ( c ) ( ? )1
00
00
10
00
0
Miw
a Mu
ng K
ata na d
aban
g (Ca
mp
s insid
e Ch
ina)
20
19
79
81
98
19
01
28
11
67
98
65
23
91
63
05
70
55
93
55
43
55
4
59
2H
pare D
aban
g ( c ) 1
48
73
85
15
11
40
10
38
05
76
73
82
91
42
84
36
42
98
65
86
5
60
3M
an H
ai* ( ? ) 9
45
45
61
4Jan
Shi * ( ? )
90
90
62
5Ten
Htan
( c ) ( ? ) 1
62
00
02
00
0
63
6H
pare D
aban
g (Lisu M
are) ( c ) ( ? )2
90
29
0
64
7D
a Ban
g Ch
i ( c ) ( ? )1
97
59
11
63
46
31
11
30
27
57
57
65
8Q
ue
n H
au H
ti ( c ) ( ? )2
12
54
17
18
18
96
42
36
38
74
74
66
9C
ho
ng Sh
ang P
a ( c ) ( ? )1
12
63
12
10
99
52
22
11
35
27
62
62
67
10
Lau Sh
ang ( c ) ( ? )
11
16
19
11
91
64
55
53
33
87
17
1
Total ID
Ps (ID
P yaw
ng h
paw
n)
11
77
52
96
42
91
95
80
15
71
63
92
64
65
92
68
03
29
51
84
82
26
89
74
13
69
30
15
33
36
93
75
76
07
18
84
Total R
efugees (R
efu
gee yawn
g)2
01
97
98
19
81
90
12
81
16
79
86
52
39
16
30
57
05
59
35
54
35
54
Total d
isplaced
perso
n (H
pyen
yen m
asha
(yawn
g hp
awn
)1
19
76
30
61
30
17
59
99
59
06
40
54
47
75
27
59
33
81
19
00
23
07
99
01
39
93
07
23
34
25
27
93
14
75
43
8
Total re
gistere
d ID
P = To
tal No
. of ID
Ps re
gistere
d in
camp
.
Total in
camp
= IDP
s be
ing p
rovid
ed
ration
curre
ntly.
M = M
ale; F = Fe
male
; T = Total
(?) -- - Can
no
t con
firm u
p d
ate in
form
atiom
in th
is mo
nth
.
( c ) --- Living in
the
camp
(*) --- Livin
g at the
ho
use
ho
lds
