About CAM
The Chin Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAM) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization based in Ellicott City, Maryland, with an office in Washington, DC. CAM empowers the Chin communities in Maryland to be successfully integrated into American society. CAM also advocates for durable solutions for Chin and other refugees and internally displaced persons, and religious freedom and human rights in Burma. CAM has been documenting human rights and religious freedom violations. This is CAM’s third report since the military coup on February 1, 2021. The others included After the 2021 Military Coup in Myanmar/Burma: Challenges for Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees. Seventeen Months after the Military Coup in Myanmar/Burma: Escalating Persecution of Christians in Chin State and Sagaing Region. In addition, CAM also produces periodic statements and monthly news updates.
Chins, over eighty-five percent of whom are Christians, are an ethnic nationality from Burma. They are a major recent US refugee group that fled from Burma to neighboring countries to escape ethnic, religious and political persecution by the Burmese military since 1962. In 2001, about 1000 Chin asylees came to the US through Guam, resettling largely in Maryland, Indiana, Florida, and Texas. Since 2002, the US has resettled many more Chin refugees coming through Malaysia and India. Chins now number 70,000 across the United States, with about 5,000 making Maryland their home.
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Staff
Executive Director
Zo Tum Hmung, Executive Director of the Chin Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAM), previously co-founded and served as the first Executive Director of the Ethnic Nationalities Affairs Center-Union of Burma (ENAC), a research center that supports the peace process and development of democratic institutions in Burma. Mr. Hmung completed his Master in Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School focusing on foreign policy and negotiations and also finished his Master of Theological Studies with a concentration in Christian Faith and Public Policy from Eastern University’s Palmer Seminary. He also graduated with a Bachelor’s in Theological Studies in Burma. He was born in Chin State, Burma, and currently lives with his family in Ellicott City, Maryland.
Manager of Research and Project
Jennifer L. Siegel, PhD, MSW, Research and Project Manager at CAM, completed her doctoral degree in social work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Coordinator of Research and Advocacy
Esther Par, MPH, CPH, Coordinator of Research and Advocacy, completed her Master of Public Health from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
Researcher
Zolian S. Zoong Lwe, MS, PhD Candidate.
Community Outreach Coordinator
Bawi Lian, BS.
Research and Advocacy Interns
Current:
Jairus Biak Tha Chin, Doctor of Public Health Candidate at Claremont Graduate University, Master of Health Administration, University of Maryland, College Park
Van Bawi Zi Nichin, Master of Science in Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis
May Shine, The Master of Arts in International Affairs at the Elliott School Candidate at George Washington University
Par Tha Hniang, Bachelor’s of Art in Political Science student at University of North Texas
Solomon Biak, Bachelor of Art in Liberal Arts at Indiana University Bloomington
Emali Par Tha Iang, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Daniel Thang, Master of Data Science at University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Former:
Esther Par, Master of Public Health, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis – October 2023 to February 2024
Abishag Cer, Master of Science in Biomedical Science, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Georgia – October 2023 to February 2024
Hannah Par, Bachelor of Science in Biology, Health, and Society, University of Michigan – October 2023 to February 2024
Htayni Sui, Master of Health Administration, Master of Public Health, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis – October 2023 to February 2024
Zolian S. Zoong Lwe, PhD Candidate – October 2023 to February 2024
Field Consultants
CAM also has field consultants in India and in Burma to carry out projects for the organization.