'It's heartbreaking': Launceston Chin community fears for families in Burma as junta crackdown worsens

Junta forces have killed at least 550 people including children, according to international observers, and forcibly disappeared politicians, journalists and protesters since the coup on February 1.

The local Chin community - which includes about 300 people in Launceston originally from a western region in Burma - has been closely following developments, raising $4500 to support those participating in the civil disobedience movement and general strikes.

The group's secretary Rolance Roliana said their families in Burma were facing a range of threats.

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"Most of us have relatives - brothers, sisters - in Burma," he said.

"Some of them work in the government, including as teachers, and because every corner of the country is participating in the civil disobedience movement, which they have also joined, it means they have no income, major banks and agencies are closed.

"There are times when the communications and internet are shutdown, so sometimes we can't get in touch with the people who we care about and love."

When the junta seized power after disregarding recent general elections, the local Chin community was fearful of a repeat of the crackdown following a 1988 uprising in which thousands were killed.

They held a demonstration in Launceston on February 27 to raise awareness of the issue, when the junta had only just started its crackdown. Since then, violence has escalated.

Their families in Burma are relying on a sharing economy in which communities are providing food to one another while general strikes continue.

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Mr Roliana said the international community had to put more pressure on the junta to ensure democracy could prevail.

"The Burmese community in Launceston and around Australia would like the Australian Government to end its ties with the military regime, and for any company or organisation working alongside the military regime to stop," he said.

"If the international community and the leaders of other countries don't act fast enough, I'm afraid there will be a very big civil war within the country."

Anyone interested in donating to the Launceston Chin community's fundraiser to support those participating in the civil disobedience movement in Burma can contact chincommunitytas@gmail.com