A civil war in eastern Myanmar's Shan State has been raging since Spring Festival. Over that time, escalating violence between government troops and ethnic Kokang guerrillas has forced tens of thousands of refugees to stream into Yunnan's Lincang Prefecture. Many of the displaced abandoned their homes with little more than one set of clothes.
The Chinese government has set up camps to shelter and feed many, but resources are limited and basic needs such as clean running water and simple sanitation are often in short supply. So too are incredibly important services like schools, medical facilities and childcare services for parents with jobs.
In an effort to help in any way possible, organizers from philanthropic group The Rainbow Organization (彩虹组织) are on the ground working with refugees in the Lincang border county of Nansan (南伞). With money collected at previous fundraisers held in Nanning, they have begun to build a school, send essential supplies and otherwise lend a hand.
With little press coverage, the situation in western Lincang is not completely clear, but humanitarian groups believe there are 300 refugee camps on the Chinese side of the border housing tens of thousands of people. With the rainy season approaching and many living under nothing more than makeshift tents, donations are desperately needed. This Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25, the Rainbow Organization will hold two benefits entitled Stop War! (停战!) to generate awareness and donations.
The first of these will be at DT Bar and feature performances by bands Big Lottery (大楽透), Ferraris from Hell (地狱法拉利), Ge Nangdu and The Queen's Eyes. Tickets at the door will cost 20 yuan. In addition to the live music, there will be a lucky draw — 10 yuan per ticket — featuring a variety of prizes. All money raised through tickets sales, as well as a percentage of bar sales, will be put toward refugee camp relief efforts. The second event will be held at Mikay Bar (凯弥酒吧) in Chenggong. The bands will be the same, minus The Queen's Eyes and with the addition of MOF (墨风). Entry will also be 20 yuan. Both charity events begin at 9pm.
Organizers of the two events strongly encourage people to bring physical donations as well as money. Recommended items include rice, cooking oil, raincoats, umbrellas, waterproof tarpaulins, soap, detergent, water purification tablets, and mosquito coils or child-friendly repellent. For more information or to find out how to mail donations directly to Nansan, contact He Xi by calling 13988825708 or Quan at 15077059152 (both speak only Chinese). You can also keep up with the current humanitarian situation in Lincang by following 'baraha' on WeChat.
The last time we all got together like this was for the Ludian earthquake benefit, which raised 23,000 yuan and saw attendees donate 25 bags of clothing and bedding. We hope for similar results this time, so, if you can, come help make a difference in the lives of people who desperately need it this coming weekend!
Top image: Time
Middle image: Trust
http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/stop-war-kokang-refugee-benefit-and-fundraiser/
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