Chinese authorities allow Nongdao Kachin IDPs to continue to stay

KACHIN WAR IDPS IN LAYING CAMP IN CHINISE TERRITORY, OPPOSITE LOIJE BORDER TOWN IN KACHIN STATE, NORTHERN BURMA.

Chinese authorities have officially announced refugees living in two Nongdao internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in China can stay.

Initially they said refugees who live in the camps had to return to Kachin state.

According to a member of the Nongdao IDPs Assistance Committee, the refugees were allowed to stay in the camp after government officials from Ruili, also known as Shweli visited the area.

But refugees were ordered to respect health rules, keep the camp clean and follow all instructions by Chinese government, said Nang Bawk who is a member of IDPs Assistance Committee.

“After they issued the warnings to practice proper hygiene, not make too much noise from riding motorcycles and not get involved with drug trafficking, they went home,” said Nang Bawk.

According to a member of the IDP Camp Assistance Committee, negotiations between the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and Chinese authorities were able to stop the refugees from being sent back to Burma.

Saya Hkun Htun from Nongdao the IDPs Camp Assistance Committee said the order to deport the refugees was a result of some of them breaking heath rules and cleaning rules in the camp.

But it’s difficult for the refugees to maintain good hygiene when they are receiving so little support from aids groups.

Nang Bawk told the Kachin News Group unclean drinking water is making many people sick.

Hkun Htun said when the Chinese authorities visited the camp they told them they should be eating more nutritious food.

“They also said you won’t be healthy if you don’t eat meat. We replied we can’t afford to eat meat,” he said.

The initial order to vacate the camp came after Chinese authorities and thirty Chinese soldiers visited Yang Lu Camp and Law Hpai Camp in Nongdao from July 6 to 8.