KBC seeks donations for landslide and flood victims
The Kachin Post / July 23, 2009

The Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), a powerful Kachin religious organization, is requesting donations from overseas Kachins for the victims of landslide and flood in Hpakant jade mine area in Kachin State of northern Burma.

KBC has issued a statement on Tuesday and distributed to the Kachin individuals and organizations abroad in request to help the landslides and floods victims in Seng Tawng, Maw Wan, Lawng Hkang, Hpa Pyin, Tamahkan and Hawng Pa villages in Hpakant jade mine.

We request Kachins in overseas for relief funds as Churches and organizations in Kachin State alone are incapable of helping the victims who are living under hardship and risky situations, KBC said in its statement.  The statement was signed by KBC general secretary Rev. Labya Paul Naw Tawng and the contact person for donations is Rev. Lahpai Htoi Bawk, a treasurer of the organization.

In the early of July, the landslide caused by heavy rains swept away the settlement of jade miners along the Uru River in northern Kachin State, affecting several villages around the area. The landslide has buried almost 400 homes, over 100 people were dead or missing, according to KBC. The organization said some local churches are submerged and church members are direly need assistances.

According to the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCH) in Burma, over a thousand people had affected by the flood. Local and religious charity organizations, companies and international relief agencies are reportedly helping the flood victims.