Ottawa (July 21, 08) – Approximately 100,000 people in Chin State of
Burma that borders with India are facing a serious food crisis due to
the mass flowering of bamboo and the subsequent explosion of rat
population that destroy basic crops and paddy fields in the area. Chin
State covers 13,907 square kilometres and roughly one fifth of that
area is covered with bamboo.
advocacy team consists of leading Chin activists is now in Ottawa to
draw attention from Canadian policy-makers, civil society
organizations and public on the unusual natural phenomenon that occurs
every 50 years in Chin State of Burma and the bordering Mizoram State
in India. There is a traditional saying "When the bamboo flowers,
famine, death and destruction will soon follow." In 1959, bamboo
flowering in Mizoram State led to one of the most powerful
insurgencies against the Indian Union government that lasted two
decades.
"The situation is at a critical point," said Salai Bawi Lian Mang, the
head of Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO), which is closely
monitoring the situation. "The people of Chin State are on the brink
of starvation." he added.
Salai Victor Lian, a prominent Chin political figure working with
Burma's Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC) pointed out, "The people in
the western border of Burma had little assistance from international
community while Eastern border of Burma have been enjoying
International supports." Before his arrival in Ottawa two weeks ago,
he was in the United Kingdom, meeting with ministers and senior
government officials.
Recently, Chin activists in India formed Chin Famine Emergency Relief
Committee and started to take necessary action to help the people in
Chin State. Meanwhile, well known singers including Sung Tin Par from
Burma and Mizoram State are performing a series of music concerts in
three Southeast Asian countries - Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore to
raise funds for famine stricken people in Chin state.
The Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB), the national organization
working for Burma, is also working with CHRO to highlight the
situation in Canada. For more info, please contact Salai Victor Lian
at 613-796-9514 or office of Canadian Friends of Burma at 613-237-8056
To find out more information on the crisis, please see
http://www.chinrelief.org/
