‘My children and I have nowhere to go’: Kachin IDP

By Burma Link AOC

Despite a number of peace talks having been conducted between the central government and Kachin Independence Army (KIA), there is no sign of the war ceasing in Kachin state. The ongoing armed conflict has been driving thousands of civilians out of their villages. Many IDPs are now living in church supported camps along with relief from international humanitarian agencies. IDPs living in crowded camps with limited support face various obstacles as they cannot practice their livelihood anymore. Women have always been the ones who share most part of family burden and face many issues including domestic violence. In this interview, Burma Link AOC (agent of change) talks to Pausa Kaw Nan (PSK), a 44-year-old Kachin woman, in one of the IDP camps in Bhamo, Kachin State.

 

Question (Q): Where are you from?

PSK: Nam Lim Pa village, Mansi Township.

 

Q: How many children do you have?

PSK: I have got 4 children.

 

Q: Do you live together with your family members?

PSK: Yes, I am living with my children and my husband left us a month ago without telling us and now I don’t know where he is.

 

Q: Why did you leave your village in detail? When did you leave your village? The arrival date in IDPs camp?

PSK: I left my village along with my husband and four children in October 2011 as the fighting was very tense in my village. I arrived in — — IDP camp on 23 December, 2011. Before that, we were hiding in the forest as we could not come straight forward to IDP camp.

 

Q: What did you do in your village before you fled to the camp where you are residing?

PSK: My family used to do farming and plant seasonal vegetables and fruits. In the morning, I would go to the market and sell vegetables and fruits from our farm. I was very satisfied with my job as I could feed my family and myself. I am longing for that moment.

 

Q: What do you do in IDP camp?

PSK: What could I do? I don’t know what to do for a living since I am no longer able to practice my livelihood here. I am so upset about it. But recently, I worked as a daily laborer for two days at road construction site as I need money for my children school fees. I earned about 2500 kyats for per day.

 

Q: What kind of assistance do you need most living in the camp? Why do you think that is immediately needed?

PSK: All IDPs are housed in temporary shelters and now those shelters are getting ruined. Thus, houses need to be repaired. It could be better if humanitarian agencies could support children in education like school fees, uniforms, etc.

 

Q: Please talk about the living conditions in the camp including food, shelter, livelihood, protection etc.?

PSK: We get some sort of food items such as rice, oil, bean, salt etc. There are some livelihood programs like for women sewing but I have not received any kind of training. I think comparing to other camps we are quite safe in this camp.

 

Q: What are major obstacles challenges do you have living in the camp including social problem?

PSK: I think domestic violence is a major obstacle for women in this camp. I myself got beaten by my husband whenever he got drunk since we arrived here. He was not like that when we were in the village. Since we got here, he started to drink a lot and beat me. Look here, I’ve got many scars that my husband gave me before he left.

 

Q: Don’t you report it to the camp management?

PSK: I reported it to the camp management two or three times but they said if they hear one more fight they would kick my family out of the camp. Since then, I dare not tell anyone as my children and I have nowhere to go.

 

Q: What makes you worried the most living in the camp?

PSK: Like all mothers, we are worried about our children’s education. We cannot afford to support our children in education.

 

Q: What would you like to say to the authorities who are engaged in armed conflict?

PSK: I just want to beg them to stop war. I want to live with my family in my village peacefully like before. I don’t want to end up my family life in IDP camp.

 

Q: If you had a chance to request something to the international community that is good for yourselves and others what would it be?

PSK: I would like the international community to help the arm conflict end and help us get back to our village and live peacefully.

 

Q: What are you thinking of your future?

PSK: I don’t think of my future but for my children. I want them to be educated.

 

Q: What do you want for you future?

PSK: I need a house that I used to have and live with my family like before.

 

Reporting date: 15 May 2014