In Myanmar’s North, Hopes to Return Home

Sub-title: 

Recent overtures suggest the government may be serious about ending years of conflict in its northern state.

Description: 

"The Jan Mai Kawng Baptist Church camp for internally displaced people is located on the outskirts of Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin state. Home to more than 1,000 people uprooted by conflict across Myanmar's most northern state, Jan Mai Kawng is a bustling place, where camp residents have established businesses, including restaurants, shops and even a makeshift hairdresser. Among the entrepreneurial tenants is Kai Ra, 52, who has established a small operation selling secondhand clothes in the camp. If business goes well, she can make about $7 a day, but acknowledged that on some days there is no income. "In my home village, I worked on the land and could live off it, but I have no land here," she says, standing outside her home in the camp. "I miss my home, and I miss my livestock: my chickens, my cows and my goats. I miss everything, but I can't go back home at the moment. It's not safe."..."

Creator/author: 

Oliver Slow

Source/publisher: 

US News (USA)

Date of Publication: 

2019-10-02

Date of entry: 

2019-10-23

Grouping: 

  • Individual Documents

Category: 

Countries: 

Myanmar

Administrative areas of Burma/Myanmar: 

Shan State

Language: 

English

Resource Type: 

text

Text quality: 

    • Good