From CNS, Staff and other sources
Fighting continues in the civil war that is affecting the north of Myanmar, where the Burmese military and guerrillas of the Kachin Independent Army are battling throughout Kachin State. A source from the Catholic Diocese of Banmaw claimed that the Burmese government “does nothing to help civilian refugees. Among the 20,000 refugees, many are dying from disease and hunger, while the military threatens anyone who tries to help them.” The local church has taken steps to set up refugee camps in the diocese. In the diocese of Banmaw, Caritas—the only humanitarian agency at work in the area—is providing food and medicine for at least two of the camps. In the Diocese of Myiktyina, Caritas has set up the St. Joseph Refugee Camp, which cares for 158 refugees, mostly children and young people.