Coffs’ Mindat Chin families suffer as relatives flee Junta in Myanmar Coffs Coast Coffs Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - May 23, 2021 1. A family waits in the jungle for hope from the United Nations to drop supplies from helicopters such as food and medicine. COFFS Harbour relatives of Mindat residents in Chin State, Myanmar, were distressed to learn the Burmese Military had taken over the township state this week. Like residents in some other towns, Mindat locals had risen up against the military junta who had arrested peaceful protestors and denied them release. A local man, formerly from Mindat, who has been in Coffs Harbour for nearly eight and half years, spoke with News of The Area. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au The man who wishes to remain anonymous for the safety of his family in Myanmar said he and his family have been crying since he learnt that his parents and family have had to flee their home in Mindat this week, through a jungle, to a safer place where they can only wait in hope. “My parents are in their seventies and have fled the township of Mindat. “I spoke to them and they had to flee on their feet and my mum told me she nearly passed out when she was fleeing by foot.” The man’s two brothers and two sisters have also fled with the two sisters carrying their small children on their back. Other family members are scattered as they lived in different areas of the town. He explained that as the military have blocked the roads and bridges the family members were not able to physically meet and flee together. The story is similar to his own when he ran with his family on foot from the military and some days survived on only a handful of rice for the whole day. According to the man, in Coffs Harbour there are twelve families consisting of about fifty to seventy people who are from Mindat in Chin State, Myanmar. He described their current condition. “We are physically and emotionally impacted and we feel we are paralysed. “Everyone has family back home and we are so worried. “It is hard to assist them as the military has taken control and whenever there is transport the only hope is for the United Nations to deliver some medical aids via a helicopter,” he said. By Sandra MOON An older resident sleeps in the jungle. Members of the military junta which took over Myanmar by military coup have now taken Mindat township in Chin State.
