The Chin refugees from Myanmar have faced a harrowing journey to safety, fleeing violence, and persecution, particularly after Myanmar's military coup in 2021. Many have sought refuge in neighboring India, especially in Mizoram, which shares cultural and linguistic ties with the Chin community. In Mizoram, thousands of Chin refugees live in makeshift camps along the border, relying on local support and limited humanitarian aid. Despite Mizoram's empathetic response, the lack of formal refugee status often subjects them to precarious living conditions and restricted access to essential services.
Beyond India, over 100,000 Chin refugees have sought asylum in Malaysia. Many work in plantations in the Cameron Highlands, where they endure grueling conditions in tea and vegetable farming. Being undocumented compounds their challenges, exposing them to exploitation, low wages, and harassment from authorities. Their lack of legal status makes it difficult to access healthcare, education, and other basic rights.
The Chin community's resilience is evident in their efforts to support one another through informal networks and community organizations. However, the lack of international recognition and systematic support leaves them vulnerable. Advocates stress the need for durable solutions, including better legal protections, resettlement opportunities, and international humanitarian aid to address their dire plight.
Chin refugee living in a refugee camp in Mizoram and victim of an accute infection and rash. He arrived from Matopi in Chin State in Myanmar in January 2022. Mizoram, India, October 2022
Chin refugee camp near the town of Zokhawthar on the Burmese border. Mizoram, India, November 2022
Chin refugees who have arrived recently from Myanmar. Refugee camp,in Mizoram, India, October 2022
Chin refugees from Rakhine State who fled fighting between Arakan Army and Tatmadaw (Myanmar military forces) in May 2022. They have taken refuge in Malaysia ever since where they live and work in isolated plantations throughout the Cameron Heighlands. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Perak, Malaysia, October 2022
Shelter in a greenhouse within Cameron Heighland's plantations where numerous Chin refugees work for extreme low wages and often victim of abuse and enslavement. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Perak, Malaysia, October 2022
Shelter within Cameron Heighland's plantations where numerous Chin refugees work for extreme low wages and often victim of abuse and enslavement. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Perak, Malaysia, October 2022
Chin Refugee and his child in a refugee shelter along the Indian Burmese border. With ever increasing airstrikes against villages, more and more people cross into India seeking safety and refuge. Hill camp for Chin refugees mainly from Falam and Kalay. Zokhawthar in Mizoram, India. May 2023
Food distribution for vulnerable Chin refugees who have arrived recently from Myanmar. Refugee camp,in Mizoram, India, October 2022
Chin children in their temporary shelter in a refugee camp on the border with Myanmar. Zokhawthar, Mizoram in India, November 2022
Chin refugees working as daily labour in plantations around Cameron Highlands. This family arrived in 2018 from Mindat in Chin State, Myanmar. They make about 15 usd per day and pay in average 180 usd to rent a shelter. Schools and health facilities are far off and not really accessible. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Kuala Terla, Cameron Highlands in Malyasia, October 2022
Greenhouse with vegetable plantations in the Cameron Highlands where numerous Chin refugees work for extreme low wages and where they are isolated and far from health care and schools for children. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Perak, Malaysia, October 2022
Rudimentary shelter with Chin refugees from Rakhine State who fled fighting between Arakan Army and Tatmadaw (Myanmar military forces) in May 2022. They have taken refuge in Malaysia ever since where they live and work in isolated plantations throughout the Cameron Heighlands. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Perak, Malaysia, October 2022
Chin refugees working in a greenhouse of the Cameron Highlands where numerous Chin refugees work for extreme low wages and where they are isolated and far from health care and schools for children. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Perak, Malaysia, October 2022
Shelter in a refugee camp for Chin families from Myanmar. Mizoram, India, October 2022
Chin mother and her child who have arrived recently from Myanmar. Refugee camp,in Mizoram, India, October 2022
Chin refugee camp near the town of Zokhawthar on the Burmese border. The area is prone to landslides and the camp with its 225 refugees will have to be relocated soon. Mizoram, India, November 2022
Domain with vegetable plantations in the Cameron Highlands where numerous Chin refugees work for extreme low wages and where they are isolated and far from health care and schools for children. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Perak, Malaysia, October 2022
Chin refugee working in plantations. He fled from Mindat in Chin State, Myanmar in July 2022 and paid about 2,000 usd to a trafficker to arrive in Malaysia. Cameron Heighlands, Malaysia, October 2022
Chin refugee in front of her shelter in the Cameron Heighland's plantations where many refugees and migrants work for very low wages. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Kuala Terla, Pahang, Malaysia, October 2022
Chin refugee who participated in the 'Cival Desobedience Movement' (CDM) in Nayphidaw, the military capital of Myanmar. He was a firefighter and had to flee shortly after joining CDM via MAe Sot in Thailand to Malaysia. Kuala Terla, Pahang, Malaysia, October 2022
Recently arrived refugees from Chin State in Myanmar. With ever increasing airstrikes against villages, more and more people cross into India seeking safety and refuge. Hill camp for Chin refugees mainly from Falam and Kalay. Zokhawthar in Mizoram along the Indian-Burmese border. May 2023
Chin families in a refugee camp on the border with Myanmar. Zokhawthar, Mizoram in India, November 2022
Chin refugee from Rakhine State who fled fighting between Arakan Army and Tatmadaw (Myanmar military forces) in May 2022. Has taken refuge in Malaysia ever since and works in plantations for him and his family to survive. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Perak, Malaysia, October 2022
Shelter within Cameron Heighland's plantations where numerous Chin refugees work for extreme low wages and often victim of abuse and enslavement. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Perak, Malaysia, October 2022
Chin refugee driving through a greenhouse in the Cameron Highlands where numerous Chin refugees work for extreme low wages and where they are isolated and far from health care and schools for children. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Perak, Malaysia, October 2022
Shelter within Cameron Heighland's plantations where numerous Chin refugees work for extreme low wages and often victim of abuse and enslavement. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Perak, Malaysia, October 2022
Chin refugee in Lipui camp on the border between India and Myanmar. Zokhawthar, Mizoram in India, November 2022
Drinkable water delivery in Lipui refugee camp on the Burmese border. With no clean water available in the camp, refugees rely on very expensive and unaffordable deliveries. Zokhawthar, Mizoram in India, November 2022
Chin refugees working in a greenhouse of the Cameron Highlands where numerous Chin refugees work for extreme low wages and where they are isolated and far from health care and schools for children. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Perak, Malaysia, October 2022
Chin refugee from Rakhine State who fled fighting between Arakan Army and Tatmadaw (Myanmar military forces) in May 2022. Has taken refuge in Malaysia ever since and works in plantations for him and his family to survive. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Perak, Malaysia, October 2022
Chin refugee from Rakhine State who fled fighting between Arakan Army and Tatmadaw (Myanmar military forces) in May 2022. Has taken refuge in Malaysia ever since and works in plantations for him and his family to survive. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Perak, Malaysia, October 2022
Domain with vegetable plantations in the Cameron Highlands where numerous Chin refugees work for extreme low wages and where they are isolated and far from health care and schools for children. Over 100,000 Chin refugees live in Malaysia and are the second largest ethnic group from Myanmar just behind the Rohingya who are over 150,000. Perak, Malaysia, October 2022
Chin child in his temporary shelter in a refugee camp on the border with Myanmar. Zokhawthar, Mizoram in India, November 2022
Chin children in refugee camp one, where 520 Chin refugees have recently arrived from war torn Myanmar. Zokhawthar, Mizoram in India, November 2022
Chin girl playing in the refugee camp where she has recently arrived from war torn Myanmar. Zokhawthar, Mizoram in India, November 2022
Food distribution for vulnerable Chin refugees who have arrived recently from Myanmar. Aizawl district, Mizoram, India, October 2022
