WHEN ONE PART SUFFERS, EVERY PART SUFFERS WITH IT By Roi Ji Marip
Photos courtesy of Kachin Baptist Convention
T
he people of Kachin State in Myanmar
either have been burned or destroyed.
have
2011
Growing challenges include the risk of food
because of the civil war between the
insecurity, unsafe water and the lack of
Kachin Independence Army and Myanmar
sanitation, each exposing thousands to
Regime. Then came COVID-19 and then, on
disease. Also, the lack of adequate health
February 1, 2021, the military coup began.
service can lead to loss of lives, inadequate
By December, 31, 2021, there were 169
shelter exposes families to multiple risks and
camps housing 106,248 “internally displaced
many children are missing out on a quality
persons” (IDPs) across Kachin State and
education.
suffered
since
June
northern Shan State in Myanmar (UNHCR Report).
Kachin, a region rich in jade, timber and mineral wealth, is a zone of long-term violent
The situation in Kachin worsened after
conflict and rising geopolitical tensions.
the military took control. Reports of abuses
These times are hopeless for new and old
against civilians — killings, rape, sexual
IDPs living there. Thankfully its citizens, to
abuse and torture — by the Myanmar army in
date, have been spared the worst of Covid-19,
Kachin State continued. Tragically, hundreds
but maintaining a positive spirit is a
of villages and about 70 church buildings
challenge. Livelihoods are shattered, and
April/May 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter 10
