About the KWD

The organization Kachin Women of Delhi is a self-help group of Kachin refugee women who had to flee from Western Burma and stranded in Delhi, mostly because they hope to be selected by the UNHCR for resettlement. The KWD was established in 2003 and presently has 14 members.

Kachin are one of the approximately 130 ethnic groups in Burma. They can be found also in other countries like China. In Delhi there is an estimated amount of 150 Kachin refugees.

The KWD mainly focuses on women issues. They seek to empower Kachin women and campaign to end violence against women and they also take part in the political movement together with other Burmese pro-democracy groups.

Their ongoing activities keep a strong focus on the current political situation in Burma's Kachin State. Members also try to raise awareness about violence against women in the local population and provide counseling and help to Kachin women who face sexual harassment and other abuses. The KWO did several fundraising events in order to have money for their activities, for example by selling Kachin food on festivals.

The majority of the Kachin women in Delhi is unemployed, others work as computer typist, with the organization Burmese Women Delhi (BWD) or as domestic workers. Some are engaged in home-based business like stitching, knitting and vegetable vending. With an advance payment from the BCP shop, the Kachin Women of Delhi managed to rent sewing machines and buy raw material in order to produce items that can be sold and the earnings reinvested into further activities.

Future plans comprise:

• setting up a basic computer training program for Kachin refugees
• offering English and Hindi speaking class for them
• expanding the sale of handloom products as subsistence for the refugees

Expenses of Refugees in Delhi

You can get an idea of the expenses in Delhi for refugees from the following figures (in 2009):

Food: The amount of 100 Rs. is sufficient to buy about 5 kg of rice. The price of rice in Delhi has increased by 25% during the past 2 years.

Rent: A group of 2-3 refugees usually occupies one room, which may cost approximately 1500 Rs. per month.

Transportation: Refugees who want to visit the office of UNHCR for their application for the refugee status or a see a doctor spend a minimum of Rs. 200 for transportation, which decreases if more persons use one vehicle. Further expenses have to be considered if refugees have to pay for medical examination and medicine.

Targeted Help

All initial investment costs and administration are paid within the project of Burma Center Prague with its partner organization Burma Centre Delhi. Therefore, the total of the revenue achieved in Europe can be sent back to the manufacturers as reinvestment into further production, for activities to help Burmese refugees in India and for relief work in the famine of Chin Land, the home of most of the Burmese refugees living in India.

The project is by virtue of the grant scheme not allowed to make any profit. All revenue has to be directed back into project activities. Compliance with the rules is ensured by a the project implementor's Supervisory Board and monitored by Czech authorities and donors. Activities in India are implemented by the Burma Centre Delhi and monitored by the embassy, as agent of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs who is the project's main donor. The project is nonprofit and public benefit in accordance with EU legislation.

Further Sources of Information

Please follow these links for more information about Kachin in exile.

• Kachin News Group

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