Welcome

Relief Action Network for IDPs and Refugees (RANIR)

The emergence of RANIR

Since June 9, 2011 the war has been resumed between Kachin Independent Army and, an armed wing of Kachin Independent Organization and the central government troops. As a result, civilians in the war affected areas were forced to abandons their homes, farms, cattle, and belongings in order to flee to safety places. Those war victims are now taking refuge areas along Chinese-Myanmar border under the protection of KIO. The figure of those Internally Displaced Person (IDPs) and refugees has increased up to 65,000 taking refuge in 51 IDP camps across KIO administrative area. 

The Kachin Independent Organization (KIO), faith based organizations, and some civil society groups have started taking care of those IDPs in the extent they can afford. A body to provide coordination to all the organizations involved in relief work was needed.

Thus, Relief Action Network for IDPs and Refugees was formed after discussion at the meeting among KI0, civil society groups, faith based organization, INGOs in order to carry out the relief works collaboratively and coordinately within the parties involved in this Relief Action Network. 

The organizations involved in Relief Action Network for IDPs & Refugees 

• Kachin Development Group & Laiza Youth
• Kachin Youth Organization (KYO)
• Wunpawng Ninghtoi (WPN)
• Kachin Women Association (KWA)
• Kachin Relief and Development Committee (KRDC)
• Kachin Women Association Thailand (KWAT)
• IDPs & Refugees Relief Committee (IRRC)
• Central Health Department of KIO
• Laiza Baptist Church
• Laiza Catholic Church 
• An INGO

The strategies of RANIR  on performing its work

Relief Action Network for IDPs & Refugees (RANIR) is purely a forum for networking among members of the networking group. It does not carry out relief work directly to the IDPs. The main responsibility of RANIR is coordination work among relief organization within its network. Direct implementation of relief work to IDPs falls on relief organizations in RANIR network. If any donation comes directly to RANIR, it would rather hand over the donation to a relief organization within its network to reach out to the IDPs. RANIR takes responsibility to write combined proposal on behalf of relief organizations of its network. In addition, RANIR builds contact with organizations both domestically and internationally for advocacy work as well. 

Tasks and Responsibilities of RANIR (What we do)

Information hub: RANIR serves as an information hub among organization within and outside RANIR network to exchange information about IDPs and relief works.

Establishing Networking: RANIR serves as a network center for organizations within and outside the network, donors, media, and INGOs in order to facilitate relief work for IDPs.

Capacity Building and Trainings: RANIR provide trainings to relief workers from different organizations in its network as well as to camp administrators. 

Organizing coordination Meeting: RANIR organizes monthly meeting among the organizations involved in the network to discuss difficulties and problems in carrying out relief work for IDPs in order to facilitate relief work more effective and efficient. 

Media Desk: In order to provide the update information about the IDPs, RANIR publishes monthly journal called “Simsa Kasa Journal” in Kachin version. In addition, documentary films reflecting the situation of IDPs are also occasionally produced by Media Desk.  

Research and Documentation: RANIR conducts camp needs assessment in order to uncover the real needs and situation of IDPs in the sectors of sheltering, food security, water and sanitation, transportation access to the camps, health, education etc. The list of IDPs camps and IDPs are also keep in data base system and are updated monthly. We also conduct research on life story of IDPs to address the problems they are facing as the life of IDPs so that people can understand the IDPs’ lives in depth.