Guwahati: The number of Myanmar nationals seeking sanctuary in Mizoram has climbed to 25,000, following a fresh surge of roughly 8,000 refugees in recent weeks following severe fighting between the Myanmar army and local resistance forces in Chin state of the neighbouring country.
According to the most recent media reports, 7,714 people from Myanmar’s Chin state have sought safety in Mizoram’s Siaha district, with 5,450 people taking asylum in Lawngtlai alone.
A total of 1,769 Myanmar refugees are now residing in the Lunglei region, with 535 of them being children. According to the latest information from the Lunglei district administration, the majority of them have already received their first dosage of the COVID-19 vaccination, while 29.97% have received their second dose.
Refugee camps in Mizoram, according to reports, are in a bad state. There is a scarcity of drinking water, winter blankets, and medical care for children, pregnant women, and injured people. The refugees are forced to rely on civil society organisations that have set up improvised facilities due to a lack of aid from the Union administration. Individuals, churches, civil society organisations, and, to a degree, the Mizoram state government all contribute time and money to help organise these camps.
The Chin ethnic group shares ethnic ties with the Mizos, and the majority of Myanmar people who have fled to Mizoram are from that ethnic group.