For Myanmar's Refugees, Hunger is Bigger Concern Than COVID-19

Description: 

" In Myanmar, an estimated 350,000 internally displaced persons living in crowded and sometimes unsanitary conditions face the danger of a widespread outbreak of COVID-19. Access to food, aid and information has become increasingly difficult as travel restrictions and lockdowns increase. In Kachin state, camps formed since 2011, when fighting resumed between the Myanmar forces and the Kachin Independence Army after a 17-year cease-fire was broken, are feeling the impact. In the Myanmar government-controlled capital of Myitkyina, long-time residents who depend on casual labor earnings say they have more to worry about than the virus itself. ”We aren’t afraid to get the virus COVID-19 because the most important and dangerous thing for us is having the money needed for our family’s food supply,” says Naw Ja Pee, a Jaw Masat IDP camp resident. “If we are shut out of food, we will all die,” she adds. The camps surrounding the Kachin capital have been locked down since April 8. Those who return to the camp from China and elsewhere are quarantined for 14 days and their vehicles are sprayed with disinfectants..."

Creator/author: 

Steve Sandford

Source/publisher: 

"VOA" (Washington, D.C)

Date of Publication: 

2020-04-29

Date of entry: 

2020-05-01

Grouping: 

  • Individual Documents

Category: 

Countries: 

Myanmar

Administrative areas of Burma/Myanmar: 

Kachin State

Language: 

English

Resource Type: 

text and video

Text quality: 

    • Good