Chin relief group to help drought victims in western Burma
February 27, 2008 - Unable to wait any longer for the international community to help, India based Chin Famine Emergency Relief Committee have begun to take necessary steps to help the people from the famine called "Mautam" in Chin state, Burma.
Paddy field destoryed by rats in Chin state, Burma. (Photo - FTUC)
Chins who are living in Mizoram state, northeast India had set up an emergency relief committee to assist the people who are facing shortage of food following the fall in paddy production in the areas.
The recently set up a relief committee on the basis of Chin social and religious organizations stationed in Mizoram state after the Chin National Day on February 20, is planning to raise relief fund from churches in Mizoram state by collecting Rs. 300 from each congregation, Mr. Suithawng, member of CFERC said.
He also added, "We also have a programme to send our members to the field with the purpose to access more information of the ground situation in affected areas".
The drought has taken place in the Indo-Burma border areas particularly Chin state in Burma and Mizoram state in India because of bamboo flowering since last year. Bamboo flowering helps multiply rats. Later, the rats destroy paddy fields and paddy stocks. Consequently, the production of paddy in the areas drastically falls.
The drought severely hit Paletwa, Matupi town, southern part of Chin state compared to other township, according to CFERC.
"Some villagers can't have food daily. So, the people go out to the forests searching for food. But, that will not solve the problem," Pu Samau, the present Chairman of Chin National Council said.
Despite the locals reporting the problem on scarcity of food to the military regime, so far the authorities have not paid any heed to the hardship of the people.
The Chin National Front, one of ethnic rebels that is fighting the Burmese regime, in its statement said that the regime had exploited the people regardless of the poverty by forcibly collecting tax that range from Kyat 400,000 to 800,000 per household annually in Chin state.
CNF also urged Chins across the world and international community to help the victims of drought in Chin state.
The rural areas in Mizoram state share the border with Chin state were also affected by drought from bamboo flowering. However, NGOs, social, religious and political organization sanctioned millions of Rupees as relief fund for the victims.
Bamboo flowers once in 50 years when its life term expires.
The areas along the Indo-Burma border is said to have been hit by the same famine 50 years ago. – Khonumthung.
