Solidarites International - 2017 - Kachin State Myanmar.
Kachin State, the most northern state of Myanmar also 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 Person) 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 very 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.
Photographs and short film made on whilst on assignment for Solidarites International.