MYITKYINA- European Union (EU) will provide 12 million Euros towards the second phase of Development Peace Project (DPP) to be implemented in Kachin and northern Shan States.

The project will be organized by the Kachin Baptist Federation, Karuna Social Welfare Association, Mitta Development Foundation, Oxfaam, SWISSAID and Tro’car.

The event was held at the City Park Royal in Myitkyina Township, Kachin State, yesterday. On the occasion, EU’s ambassador Kristian Schmidt said that the EU provided aid to around 85,000 people that had suffered from armed conflict in Kachin State over the last 3 years. 

As he was aware of the difficulties in the way of peace, the EU participated along entire peace process when Myanmar started its transformation to a democratic system. Since the beginning of 2015, EU had helped the Internal displaced persons (IDPs) in developing the vocational training. In doing so, they[IDP] had earned a living by selling their products. That’s why EU would simultaneously implement the DPP in northern Shan State and 18 townships in Kachin State until 2022. 

“25 local civic and social organizations (CSOs) will closely supervise the DPP and then the EU will to fund Euros 3 millions (Ks 5.4 billion) to the local CSOs within 3 and half years as a Sub-Grant. EU believes that the locals have a chance to participate in the peace activities for their future. Moreover, EU will support seeking of solutions for Kachin conflict and peace negotiation process. But, the EU cannot implement the peace negotiation process without first helping the government. At present, both local and foreign organizations are banned from going to some places where IDPs are in need of aid. The ban breaks the international humanitarian law. So, we would like to urge the government to remove the restrictions that hinders provision of humanitarian aid,” said   Kristian Schmidt.

Later, Kachin State Chief Minister Dr Khat Aung thanked the EU and participants in implementation of DPP. Peace process is accompanied with the regional development and free and fair activities. The Kachin State is in need of aid for multi-sector development. The government will help the CSOs as much as they can.

EU spent Euros 7 million(Ks 12.6 billion) starting 3 years ago from 2015 to 2018 for the first phase of the DPP and helped around 83,000 people. 

For second phase, EU will provide Euros 12 million (Ks 21.8 billion) to over 120,000 IDPs from 18 townships in Kachin and 25 townships in northern Shan State starting from 2018 to 2022.