YANGON (UCAN): A Christmas of darkness, silence and fear awaited thousands of Myanmar’s Christians in internally displaced persons [IDP] camps, where carols, decorations and illuminations were banned because of ongoing conflicts.
The sounds of gunfire, fighter jets and artillery shelling replaced those of carols and celebrations in predominantly Christian areas of Kachin, Kayah, Karen and Chin states.
Thousands of Christians have been forced to take refuge in churches, makeshift camps and in forests following military attacks against civilians.
For *Josephine Pho Mu, 42, this is the second time she has had to flee her home in Kayah state since 1988.
“I thought we would be temporarily displaced and go back home. But we have been away from home and sheltering at this camp for 19 months,” says Pho Mu who has taken refuge at a church-run camp in Loikaw, capital of Kayah state, after leaving her village in Demodo township in May 2021. The mother of three said this was her second Christmas in the camp.
“It is a mix of joy and sorrow when Christmas approaches. We are joyful about welcoming Jesus Christ’s birthday but we are sorrowful as we are in the camp due to the conflict and don’t know when we will be able to return home,” Pho Mu said.
It is a mix of joy and sorrow when Christmas approaches. We are joyful about welcoming Jesus Christ’s birthday but we are sorrowful as we are in the camp due to the conflict and don’t know when we will be able to return home,
She said that life in the camp is different from her home but she is not depressed and remains hopeful about her future.
“I have decided that I will not give up hope and will face the difficulties as I need to set a good example for my children,” she said.
At least 170,000 civilians in Kayah state—more than half of its population of 300,000—have been forced to abandon their homes, according to the Karenni Civil Society Network.
At least nine Catholic churches have been hit by artillery and air strikes by Myanmar’s military in Loikaw, with 16 out of 38 parishes severely affected by the conflict which has intensified since the junta ousted Myanmar’s elected government in a coup on 1 February 2021.
Father Celso Ba Shwe, administrator of Loikaw which covers Kayah state, said the elderly, the disabled, children and pregnant women in IDP camps are in dire need of humanitarian assistance while children and youths are facing difficulty continuing formal education.
I pray for peace in our country so that our children who have grown up in camps may get freedom, peace and live a dignified life
“In the season of Christmas, may we have Christmas carols, peace and greetings with love after disappearing from gunfire, fighting and heavy weaponry,” the priest said in an Advent letter.
*Mary Hkawn San, who took refuge at a Church-run camp near Myitkyina, capital of Kachin state, hoped that Catholics and Baptists could again celebrate Christmas together in her home village.
“It’s a different experience for me to celebrate Christmas in the camp. There are no decorations as everything here is makeshift,” said Hkawn San, who fled her home following renewed fighting in June 2021.
The 45-year-old widow, who has seven children, is optimistic about her life despite the difficulties she faces. “Christmas is a time to receive a special blessing from God and we need to emphasise spiritual preparations to welcome Jesus Christ,” she said.
“I pray for peace in our country so that our children who have grown up in camps may get freedom, peace and live a dignified life,” she added.
Archbishop Marco Tin Win of Mandalay appealed to Catholics to focus on spiritual preparations and avoid “high-profile celebrations” at Christmas and New Year to show solidarity with people affected by the conflict.
More than 1.4 million people are displaced across the country, with more than 1.1 million displaced since the 2021 military takeover, according to a UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs report on December 3.
*Names have been changed to protect their identities
