Scottish Catholic Observer

Cardinal Keith O’Brien is joining with SCIAF in a call for prayers for a peaceful resolution to fighting in the Kachin state of Burma that has so far driven 10,000 people from their homes.

Fighting between the country’s army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), one of a number of militias in the country, has spread across the state of Kachin that borders China in the north. In addition to a long drive for independence for the Kachin people the KIA have refused to become border guards as part of a truce and fighting started when government soldiers attempted to move KIA fighters away from the site of a Chinese hydroelectric power plant.

The majority of the 10,000 people who have been forced to flee their homes are women and children living in remote rural areas.  The Church has set up a number of centres to help the most vulnerable and clergy have been urged to remain in the affected areas so that they can help to lead their communities to places of safety.

Suffering

Cardinal O’Brien, chairman of the board of directors of SCIAF, visited the charity’s projects in Myanmar in January 2009, said he had experienced the country’s suffering first hand.

“When I visited Myanmar with SCIAF I was struck by the overwhelming kindness and generosity of people I met, and am incredibly sad to hear of what is now happening in this beautiful country,” he said. “It appears that once again innocent people are being caught up in an armed conflict that is not of their own making.  I am joining with SCIAF in calling on the Catholic community and people of all faith to stand in solidarity with the innocent civilians caught up in this conflict and to pray that an urgent and peaceful solution is found.”

SCIAF has worked with local partners in Burma for many years.  It helps poor rural communities to grow enough food to eat, have clean water supplies, manage livestock, and get access to small loans to start up small businesses.  In the wake of Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, SCIAF also provided emergency aid and long term support to survivors.

Fighting

A spokesman for the KIA said that since the fighting erupted in the second week of June after failed negotiations, more than 16,000 people have fled to the nearby province of Lazin, while more than 4000 are hiding in the jungle to avoid Burmese soldiers.

KIA and Burmese government forces fought for decades after the central government denied the region self-governance, until 1994 when both sides agreed a ceasefire.

The relationship grew tense when the central government pressured the KIA in 2010 to form a Border Guard Force along with other ethnic armed groups, or to disarm.

— ian@sconews.co.uk