Over 500,000 Burmese have been displaced from their homes and villages during decades of military rule. In June 2011, the Burmese Army broke a 17-year ceasefire in Kachin State, displacing over 120,000 innocent civilians. Many fled to refugee camps, where access to food and healthcare is limited and the risk of trafficking is high. In these places of despair, Partners Relief has been working with local organisations to train and equip a group of volunteers to lend a helping hand. The volunteers are themselves refugees, helping others. Partners says these volunteers live by one rule “Love your neighbour.” One volunteer, Bauk Ja, served families in the Pa Kahtawng refugee camp. Despite the loss of her home and her husband, she supported her “neighbour,” Lapai Sang Mai, who is a mother of six and lives with her mother-inlaw while her husband is at war. Partners, said Bauk Ja, arranged for people to stay at the clinic with Mai during labour. This allowed Mai’s mother-in-law to watch over the other children at home. Already over 150 volunteers have been trained. Altogether they are caring for nearly 8,000 internally displaced persons. Those who need food receive it. Those who are sick are cared for. And community is brought into a thrown-together refugee camp.
Source: Partners Relief; Prayer Alert
BIBLE STUDY: Luke 10:27
PRAISE God that His people are organising to help these people who have nothing. PRAY for an end to strife and for the Kingdom of God to be manifested.