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//
