Fire Victims of Chin Refugee Families In Need of Aids

Kuala Lumpur (VOCR) on 22^nd Dec: Four of Chin refugee families including dozens of Burmese migrant and Bangladeshi workers fled in terror in the early morning fire which wrecked a block of flats in the area of packed population of Chin refugees currently living in Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur on 19^th December, 2011. The two hour-long fire cost a great loss for dozen of families, mostly their possessions were burnt down.

Fire victim: One of Chin refugee families taken shot at CDAC office

The fire is believed to be started around 7:00 a.m from building number, 15C which is entirely occupied by the Burmese migrant workers, possibly, due to the indisciplinable and extreme use of electricity.  Despite the fact that the fire, as the witnesses prompt, was learnt slowly surged through, the gradual velocity of fire department personnel exponentially caused a double damage as most of the victims’ goods and its contents destroyed—leaving lots of possessions from other nationals ruined including four of Chin refugee families, victims of fire, who were temporarily sheltered in CDAC (Chin Disciplinary Action Committee) office and the respective community later is determined to taking care of them for the time being.

Fire victim: One of Chin refugee families taken shot in CRC office

On the spot day, the fire victim families were provided small amount of financial support collected from the nearest Chin fellows.

The flame was able to be put an end about 10:15 a.m in the morning with the daring attempts of fire crew.

Fire victims: One of Chin refugee families taken photo at CRC office

So strong to be extinguished easily though the flame was, CRC (Chin Refugee Committee) office was somewhat affected. “Despite such tragedy, it was absolutely the grace of God that He saves us from this burning blaze which we all thought will swoop our office within minutes but could successfully be put out at a time when the flame approaching our roof,” said coordinator of CRC, Heny Tin Maung Shwe. He added that sparing CRC office was indeed a great miracle that we saw in our own eyes—meaning God really loves Chins and makes CRC safe from harm.

Pile of documents and other materials gathered from CRC and CSO (Chin Student Organization)

All staffs were seen too busy the whole day long—rushing taking all documents down while the flame strongly on blaze and cleansing the office and keeping the documents back in order with the gracious helping hands from other Chin fellows who volunteered for this calamity we come across.

Pile of possessions of Myanmar and Bangladeshi migrant workers at the scene.   

Due to the fire, they are to move to other places or might perhaps be facing serious action

     taken against them by the authority. And the investigation on the cause is underway. 

Meanwhile, all victims of Chin families are learnt to have been brought to the office of UNHCR for further possible supports. However, it is not certain that their needs can be met for the fact that it is not uncommon to see the office of UNHCR in Malaysia is not able to wholly take care of the sick, disable and immediate victims of all kinds of abuse and violations until recently.  

For the victims, donations individually, in group or organization can be made via CRC office at the address below:

Chin Refugee Committee

11C, Jalan Koo Teik Ee

Off Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Phones : 03-2144 7271, 03-2110 0876

Fax      : 03-2141 7271

Email   : crcmalaysia2011@yahoo.com

Reporting by Simon

Refugees Care Malaysia: Peace Project On the Go

Kuala Lumpur (VOCR) 03 Dec: Tens of thousands of refugees from Myanmar, also known as Burma, stranded in Malaysia, are regarded as nothing but rubbish and problem causers by the government, according to various NGO sources. To be honest, a handful of youth who cannot perceive their future as positive and bright have in fact turned to alcoholic drinking in an attempt to ease their current problems, as they were in the habit of doing in the motherland.  

In light of complaints from the locals, in the Chin community various leaders of established fellowships are truly harmonious in an effort to work for projects that can turn the locals’ attitudes towards refugees in reverse. 

The CDAC (Chin Disciplinary Action Committee) is the lead team in the first wave of implementing the care project. It has been several months since the “Peace Project” set up by CDAC has begun to be implemented in areas where members of CDAC are stationed. The aim of the project is the clean-up of local areas and washing the buildings occupied by refugees. “The locals view this as a very good activity, as seen by their active support, and among the authorities as well,” said Lal Siam Mawi, currently chairman of CDAC.

Although members of CDAC are stationed in 24 locations, the areas for this Peace project are targeted in Selangor state. The areas are Imbi, Cheras Maluri, Cheras Alam Jaya, Ampang, Pandah Indah, Sungai Besi, Lokyew and Jalan Ipoh—the locations mainly occupied by Chin refugees. 

The cleansing program is presented as a “must-do” policy, twice a month in each area. This presentation empowers the program to continue with regularity. 

Leaders from Chin communities including Mr. Lal Siam Mawi clearly state that we are not problem causers, but we come carrying with us the problems obtained in our home country. We are, however, always willing to be at peace with the locals.

Although there is a great diversity of challenges, leaders of the Chin are of the same spirit in caring about what the locals care about and highly committed to deterring unruly behavior and violations occasionally committed by drunken Chin youth. There is a serious concern that the disturbances caused by drunken Chin youth could very well create additional negative consequences for the entire Malaysian refugee population.

The project is being funded by Social Protect Funds (SPF) which is under the umbrella of UNHCR office. The UNHCR office is closely cooperating with SPF on implementing the project. Provided that it succeeds in one area, it will be extended to all areas where Chin are currently living.