Chin: 1 Million Displaced in Natural Disaster
Chin State is currently one of three areas in Burma that has been officially declared as a disaster zone, in urgent need of international assistance and support. The worst flood yet to strike Burma, has already displaced 1 million inhabitants and left parts of the country almost in total wreck.
Below is an article by Sky News
Five out of six townships in the state's Hakha city have been hit by landslides, and 900 homes are in danger of being lost to rising floodwaters.
Chin state's finance minister Nan Zamon said thousands of residents are being moved to safety amid the worst flooding to strike Burma in decades.
Some 4,000 people are being moved from Hakha, and another 3,000 people from nearby villages will be relocated to temporary shelters.
"We are carrying out the evacuation now, giving priority to people from the houses that are completely damaged," he said.
"As the danger of landslides can grow bigger, we are trying to find a safer place for the people.
"At the moment, experts are conducting necessary geological surveys to find a safer and wider place for more people to move."
The United Nations says 103 people have been confirmed killed and more than a million people have been displaced by the floods.
The flooding is the worst natural disaster in Burma since Cyclone Nargis killed 140,000 people in 2008.
Hakha is located around 600 miles northwest of Burma's biggest city Yangon, and is the capital of one of the country's poorest regions.
Chin state and three other areas have been declared disaster zones as the country appeals for international help.
China, India, Australia and the United States have donated money to aid the victims, and military aircraft have delivered supplies.
Photo Courtesy: Gregory Gaskill @ Flickr
