Chin-Mizo singers to raise funds for famine victims in Burma

Khonumthung.

May 31, 2008 - Well known singers, from Burma and Mizoram state, northeast India will perform a series of music concerts in three Southeast Asian countries - Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore to raise funds for famine stricken people in Chin state, northwestern Burma.
The fund raising concerts in ASEAN countries will be kicked off in Thailand on August 27. The concert in Malaysia concert will follow on August 29 and 30. The last performance will be in Singapore on September 6 and 7.

Ms. Sung Tin Par, a famous singer in Burma will lead a team comprising three singers from Burma. Well known Mizo singers Mami Valte and Mimi Lallianzami will travel with Mizoram "Lelte Weekly" editor Editor Pu C. Dinthanga.

A series of concerts for famine victims in Burma will be organized by a relief group called Chin Famine Emergency Relief Committee (CFERC) based in Mizoram state.

"The purpose is to raise fund for victims of famine, locally known as 'Muatam', from among Chin migrant workers who are working in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore," Pu Chan Thawnga, chairman of CFERC said.

He also said that 10 percent of the fund from the concerts will be allotted to survivors of Cyclone Nargis that killed over 100,000 and left 2.5 million homeless in the delta region of Burma.

Bamboo flowering caused the near famine like situation and the food crisis in areas along the Indo-Burma border since last year. Bamboo flowers attract rats in hordes which multiply and destroy crops and paddy stocks in villages in Chin state. People are facing acute shortage of food.

"We need to send the aid to affected areas as soon as possible because the people urgently need help. Some villagers have nothing. They are at starvation point. They are surviving by eating only 'Zam' (sweet potato) found in the jungle," Pu Chan thawnga told Khonumthung News last week.

Even 'Zam' is difficult to find in the jungle now as almost all villagers residing in the areas mainly depend on it for their daily meal.

The repressive Burmese regime, instead of helping the people who are in need of food, confiscated and banned the flow of aid from religious faith organizations in some areas of Chin state.

CFERC was set up by Chins living in Mizoram with the aim of raising funds and to facilitate the flow of aid received from Chins and other donors around the world for helpless people in Chin state.

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