UNICEF delivers aid to thousands of children and families in Kachin State

Yangon, Myanmar, 11 September 2013:  From 7 to 10 September, UNICEF joined the UN Led Cross Line Mission to provide humanitarian assistance in the non-government controlled conflict-affected areas in Kachin State to deliver aid to thousands of children and families.

Starting from Kachin state capital Myitkyina, the Mission had to cross rough terrain through heavy rain and extreme weather to reach remote locations. Nearly 16,000 people in four IDP camps in Laiza: Woi Chyai Dabang, Je Yang, No 3 Market; Hpun Lum Yang and a Boarding school hosting IDP students in Momauk township, were reached with 11-truck load of supplies. IDPs in these camps will receive further humanitarian assistance. UNICEF staff also conducted brief health awareness sessions and explained the use of distributed items.

UNICEF has provided supplies in Wash, Health and Nutrition, and Education that reached an estimated 5,500 children and their families. Woi Chyai camp alone has over 1500 children under the age of 15.

Five UNICEF staff have also participated in rapid needs assessment to better plan and organize further critical support.

“UNICEF views this convoy as much more than the delivery of humanitarian assistance. It’s about bringing hope, trust, peace and international community support to the children, families and communities of Kachin. It’s about upholding human rights, including children’s rights, enhancing development outcomes and ensuring a brighter, peaceful future for all children and their families,” said Bertrand Bainvel, UNICEF Representative in Yangon, "It is high time normalcy was restored to the lives of children in Kachin.”

UN Led Cross Line Mission to conflict affected areas of Myanmar’s Kachin state is organized under the aegis of UN OCHA and in cooperation with other UN agencies and partners.

Since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, cross-line missions were conducted to border areas, covering only approximately 20 per cent (some 10,000 IDPs) of the total caseload in areas beyond Government control. Full and sustained access to all displaced locations is essential to provide assistance to all people in need.

ENDS//