Famine victims in Chin state are being supported financially by Chins staying abroad. But this help cannot cover all families suffering from famine conditions in Chin state. In Mizoram, the Chin political party, NGOs, churches and individuals formed the Chin Famine Emergency Relief Committee (CFERC) on February 2008 even though some participants do not have any Mizoram security document.

Chairman of the CFERC, Mr. H. Chan Thawng Liang said that the CFERC is sending fact finding groups inside Chin state to take video clips and document the situation. The report will be received within 20 days and the committee has to make a decision on how to go ahead for the next step. Now the committee is collecting funds from various churches in Mizoram as well as abroad. The committee received Rs. 13,000 rupees from Norway Chin community. The committee collected Rs. 1000 from churches and Rs. 300 from individuals who want to donate to the committee for famine victims. The committee believes that 200 households from Chin state's remote areas shifted to Mizoram state.

But the relief process has not been chalked out by the committee for the Chin people, and the committee is yet to declare the detailed process to the people because of financial constraints. The committee seems to be starting to get the funds for relief.

Mizoram State, is witnessing bamboo flowering (locally known as Mautam) when rats multiply and destroy crops bringing on famine conditions,  so social workers and civilians are busy helping the victims. 

The government received its annual share of rice accounting for 5000 quintals and an additional 1,10, 000 quintals for Mautam said the president of the Mizo National Front (MNF) and Chief Minister of Mizoram Mr. Zoramthanga.

The government also has a Bamboo Flowering and Famine Combat Scheme (BAFFACOS) program since 2004 and sanctioned funds for Rs. 12.500 lakhs for famine relief in Mizoram state said Mizoram Chief Minister during the Mizoram budget session this month.

The victims of famine have been provided rice in the rural areas by the government. While Mizoram people suffer from famine like conditions they seem to be more worried this time compared to the last time.

Besides, all government servants gave a day's salary for those who are facing famine in different parts of the state. Social and religious organizations also donated lots of money for bamboo flowering affected people in Mizoram.

A report added that one youth group of Fraser Valley Cleaner in Canada had declared to provide vegetable soup mixed/ dehydrated vegetable accounting for 2.25 million packets following bamboo flowering in Mizoram.

Mizoram had faced such a famine situation in 1958-59, as this happens once in 50 years. At such times people in the state search for edibles in the jungle and suffered stomach and poisonous infection. Mautam claimed lives too.

While the Mizoram government provides relief for the people, the people of Chin state are not so lucky and people from remote areas are moving and shifting to Mizoram for succour.

The Chin people have been given donated 20 bags of rice by the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) no 304. One bag if rice costs 18000 kyat now compared to 15000 kyat per-bag in Chin state towns. The Burma Army collects money as tax as well use people for forced labour at a time when they suffer from hunger.

The villagers are suffering from various persecutions by the local authority forcing them to flee to Mizoram.  There are hundreds of refugees in Bangladesh also from Paletwa Township, Chin state.

As reported in Mizoram Newspaper there are many illegal Chin people who have shifted from ThanTlang, Falam, Teddim and Tonzang of Chin state, Myanmar . In February 2008, four households of Matupi Township , Southern Chin state shifted to Mizoram and are staying in Kawl Caw village, Lawngtlai district in Mizoram. Lack of a relief system in Chin state especially in the border areas are forcing people to come to Mizoram. 

The famine is prevalent in bamboo growing areas especially in Paletwa, Matupi, Thantlang, Falam and Tonzang township Chin state. This year half the population of almost five lakhs is affected by famine.

In 2005 the official record mentioned Chin state population being 53 lakhs, but Chin people are fleeing abroad because during military rule the Chin population decreased to 47 lakhs in 2007.

"We have to leave our country as there is no food," said Mr. Para from Paletwa Township who recently shifted for Mizoram due to bamboo flowering in Chin state, Burma .

Although there are lots of organizations in Mizoram for helping the famine affected people, there are no organizations to help Chin people. - Shyamal Sarkar (Khonumthung)

(Shyamal Sarkar based in Calcutta, India is a copy editor of Khonumthung News and Burma News International (BNI), Burma media umbrella group in exile)