ASIA/MYANMAR- Fighting continues in the north, while the refugees are dying from hunger and disease

Banmaw (Fides Service) - Non-stop fighting continues in the civil war that is affecting the north of Myanmar, where the Burmese army and the guerrillas of the Kachin Independent Army are confronting each other (see Fides 1/7/2011, 30 / 6 / 2011 and preceding days). Artillery bombardments and military clashes are taking place - inform local sources of Fides - in three different areas of the Kachin state, all within the territory of the diocese of Myiktyina and Banmaw.
"The government does nothing to help the thousands of civilian refugees, who are helpless victims of the conflict - a source of Fides in the diocese of Banmaw makes a complaint, who requested anonymity for security reasons -. So among the 20 thousand refugees, many are dying from disease and hunger, while the military threaten anyone who tries to help the displaced".
The local church has taken steps to set up refugee camps in the two dioceses. In the diocese of Banmaw the local Caritas - the only humanitarian agency that is at work – it is working hard to provide food and medicine for at least two camps. Caritas in Myiktyina has set up "St. Joseph Refugee Camp, "which welcomes 158 refugees, mostly children and young people, trying to ensure their survival but also to ensuring education services. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 05/07/2011)