Kachin Alliance

The Kachin Alliance is a non-profit organization founded by Kachin immigrants in the United States, primarily refugees who fled the civil war and human rights abuses in Burma (Myanmar). It is recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity.

Mission and Objectives

The Kachin Alliance is dedicated to eradicating human rights abuses suffered by the Kachin people in Burma and promoting justice, equality, and peace for this ethnic group. It operates through two primary objectives:

1. Education and Awareness: The organization aims to educate the American public, U.S. national leadership, and international organizations about the human rights conditions of the Kachin people. This effort seeks to increase awareness and garner support for the ongoing crises affecting the Kachin community.

2. Relief and Aid: The Kachin Alliance provides aid and coordinates relief efforts for Kachin refugees worldwide and displaced individuals within Burma.

Activities and Advocacy

The organization engages in various activities to achieve its goals, including:

• Community Events: Organizing community events, photo and video exhibitions, multimedia presentations, and demonstrations to raise awareness about the Kachin situation.

• Fundraising: Raising funds for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, as well as for emergency relief efforts in Kachin and Burma.

• Advocacy: Advocating for peace and the rights of Kachin people to governments and international organizations.

History

The Kachin Alliance was formally established in May 2012. It emerged from a need to coordinate between Kachin communities and organizations in the United States, which began to flourish in the early 2000s as more Kachins immigrated from Burma. In February 2016, the Kachin Alliance established an office in Washington, D.C., to facilitate coordination with U.S. national leadership and international organizations.

Governance

The organization operates with elected officers, a board of directors, and a network of volunteers from Kachin communities across the United States. This structure helps the Kachin Alliance achieve its mission and objectives effectively.