Kachin State in northern Myanmar has long been plagued by conflict, deeply impacting its population. The fighting between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Myanmar military, which reignited in 2011 after a 17-year ceasefire, has caused widespread displacement and suffering. The region, rich in natural resources like jade and timber, is a focal point for tensions tied to ethnic self-determination and control over resources.
As of recent years, tens of thousands of people live in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, many for over a decade. These camps, often in remote areas, face chronic shortages of food, healthcare, and education, leaving residents dependent on humanitarian aid. Overcrowding, lack of livelihood opportunities, and limited freedom of movement exacerbate the hardships. Prolonged displacement has led to intergenerational challenges, with children growing up without stable homes or access to quality education.
The conflict has also taken a toll on mental health, community cohesion, and economic prospects for the displaced. Many IDPs remain caught between unsafe conditions in their villages and uncertain futures in the camps. Recent escalations and shifting frontlines continue to threaten the fragile security of the region, making a resolution to the crisis increasingly urgent.
Elderly woman of approximately 100 years old living as an internally displaced person in the sole IDP camp in Puta-o the most northern town of Kachin State and Myanmar near the border with India and China. Puta-o IDP Camp, Puta-o, Kachin state, Myanmar, February 2020
Children fishing in the pond in Puta-o IDP camp where 300 people live since being displaced from their villages in the mountains in 2011 when fighting broke out between the Myanmar Army and the Kachin Independence Army. Puta-o, Kachin State, Myanmar, February 2020
Kachin girl going through her school notes. Robert IDP Camp hosting 4000 internally displaced persons (IDP) of the Christian Kachin Minority. Over 100,000 Kachin are still displaced within Kachin State since the armed conflict resumed in 2011 between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Bhamo township in government controlled territory Myanmar, January 2020
Kyi Nan IDP camp in Kachin State. More than 100,000 Kachin are still displaced within Kachin State since the armed conflict resumed in 2011 between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Momauk township in government controlled territory, Myanmar, January 2020
Kachin children walking through the rice fields, Puta-o, Kachin State, Myanmar, February 2020
A collective shelter for internally displaced persons (IDP) in Kachin State. Most of the 430 IDPs come from 17 villages that are now located in the frontline area. IDPs live in this camp since 2011. KBC Compound Camp near Bhamo, Myanmar, January 2020
An IDP in front of his shelter at the KBC Compound IDP Camp hosting 430 internally displaced persons (IDP) of the Christian Kachin Minority. Over 100,000 Kachin are still displaced within Kachin State since the armed conflict resumed in 2011 between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Momauk township in government controlled territory Myanmar, January 2020
Children from Puta-o IDP camp where 300 people live since being displaced from their villages in the mountains in 2011 when fighting broke out between the Myanmar Army and the Kachin Independence Army. Puta-o, Kachin State, Myanmar, February 2020
Warm water springs near Momauk in Kachin State, Myanmar, February 2020
A mother and her newborn child living in a collective shelter for internally displaced persons (IDP) in Kachin State. More than 100,000 displaced persons in Kachin State are heavily dependent on humanitarian aid to survive since the conflict between the Kachin Independence Army and Myanmar Army restarted in 2011. IDPs live in this camp since 2011. KBC Compound Camp near Bhamo, Myanmar, January 2020
Kachin and his child from the Kashi ethnic group expelled from his village in 2016. The village is near the territory controlled by the Kachin Independence Army and is now located in a combat zone. They found shelter on a piece of land owned by the Church of Christ, a Christian group to which they belong. CoC IDP Camp, Waimaw, Kachin State, February 2020
Bathing and playing in the Himalayan rivers of Puta-o. Puta-o is in the extreme north of Myanmar near the Indian and Chinese borders and surrounded by the lower Himalaya mountains. This area is also in a conflict zone and has the highest altitude frontline in South East Asia. Kachin State, Myanmar, February 2020
A mother and her children at a busy cargo ghat along the Irrawaddy river in Bhamo, Kachin State, Myanmar, February 2020
A Kachin child playing in front of her temporary shelter in an IDP Camp in Kachin State. Kachin Baptist Church (KBC) IDP Camp in Momauk, Myanmar, January 2020
Children playing with an improvised sledge in an IDP camp hosting over 4000 displaced persons. Robert IDP Camp in Bhamo Township, Kachin State, Myanmar, January 2020
People bathing and washing clothes at a warm water source in Momauk, Kachin State, Myanmar, February 2020
Kachin Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) hosted among 240 other IDPs in Htio San IDP Camp in Bhamo, Kachin State, Myanmar, January 2020
Robert IDP Camp hosting 4000 internally displaced persons (IDP) of the Christian Kachin Minority. Over 100,000 Kachin are still displaced within Kachin State since the armed conflict resumed in 2011 between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Bhamo township in government controlled territory Myanmar, January 2020
Kachin people bathing at a warm water source in Momauk, Kachin State, Myanmar, January 2020
A woman reading a book in a camp for internally displaced persons in Kachin State. There are more than 130 IDP camps througout Kachin State, hosting over 100,000 displaced persons. Agriculture IDP camp in Momauk, Myanmar, Myanmar, January 2020
Children from Puta-o IDP camp where 300 people live since being displaced from their villages in the mountains in 2011 when fighting broke out between the Myanmar Army and the Kachin Independence Army. Puta-o, Kachin State, Myanmar, February 2020
Kachin women sharing a cell phone in their temporary shelter in a camp for internally displaced persons. There are more than 130 IDP camps througout Kachin State hosting more than 100,000 displaced persons. KBC IDP camp in Momauk, Myanmar, January 2020
KBC Compound IDP Camp in Kachin State and one of its 435 residents. More than 100,000 Kachin are still displaced within Kachin State since the armed conflict resumed in 2011 between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Momauk township in government controlled territory, Myanmar, January 2020
An elderly woman in a camp for internally displaced persons in Kachin State. There are more than 130 IDP camps througout Kachin State, hosting over 100,000 displaced persons. KBC Compound IDP camp in Momauk, Myanmar, Myanmar, January 2020
Kachin children returning from school and some wearing a mask at the begining of the Covid19 pandemic when the virus was raging in neighbouring China only 50 km from Momauk. IDP Camps throughout Kachin State host over 100,000 displaced persons since the armed conflict resumed in 2011 between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Momauk township in government controlled territory Myanmar, January 2020
A ferry boat taking passengers and their motorbikes accross the Irrawaddy river 30 Km north of the State capital and the nearest bridge. Myitkyina Township. Kachin State, Myanmar, February 2020
Agriculture IDP camp in Kachin State. More than 100,000 Kachin are still displaced within Kachin State since the armed conflict resumed in 2011 between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and are totally dependent on humanitarian aid and food distributions. Momauk township in government controlled territory, Myanmar, January 2020
Kachin daily labour working on peanut fields. Rural Momauk, Kachin State,Myanmar, February 2020
Kachin children in rural Momauk, Kachin State, Myanmar, February 2020
A Kachin boy in the classroom. Robert IDP Camp hosting 4000 internally displaced persons (IDP) of the Christian Kachin Minority. Over 100,000 Kachin are still displaced within Kachin State since the armed conflict resumed in 2011 between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Bhamo township in government controlled territory Myanmar, January 2020
Kindergarden fence in an IDP camp for Kachin displaced villagers from rural areas around Bhamo in Kachin State. Hpung Rung IDP Camp in Bhamo, Kachin State, Myanmar, January 2020
Kachin women cutting roots and branches to make traditional medecine in the sole IDP camp in Puta-o the most northern town of Kachin State and Myanmar near the border with India and China. Puta-o IDP Camp, Puta-o, Kachin state, Myanmar, February 2020
Trucks loading suplies from boats along the Irrawaddy river. The Irrawaddy river is the main cargo link through Myanmar, and also a main livelihood source for million of people from Kachin State all the way to lower Myanmar. Bhamo, Kachin State, February 2020
