David J Shaw


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Solidarites International - 2017 - Kachin State Myanmar

Assignment documenting economically self-empowered IDP in Kachin State, Myanamr

Kachin State, the most northern state of Myanmar, has been suffering from a long-term conflict between ethic groups such as the Kachin Independence Army and the Tatmadaw (Armed Forces of Myanmar). Since fighting restarted in 2011, over 120,000 Kachin people have been displaced from their homes, becoming IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) and living in refugee camps across the state. Today, there are still over 100,000 IDPs in these camps across Kachin state that are sometimes only thirty miles away from their inaccessible homes, from which they have not visited for six years.

The main issue concerning these IDPs stems from being unable to go to their homes, where they had stable personal economies, security and freedom. Due to the large population of IDPs it is difficult to gain employment in these areas and whilst many work as casual labourers and survive off NGO handouts, most of these Kachin IDPs struggle to pay for school fees, food and personal amenities such as hygiene materials or clothes.

In response to this, the local population of these camps, with the support of local and international NGOs, have started creating their own economic resources, such as farming, so they can work to be self-sufficient and improve their daily lives whilst waiting for the conflict to end. 

Photographs and a short film made whilst on assignment for Solidarites International.



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