March 23th, 2022
In the second week of March, the total number of the refugees displaced by fighting in Karenni State has reached nearly 200,000, according to the statement by the Karenni Civil Society Network (KCSN).
Khu Ruby, Spokesperson of the KCSN said: “Due to airstrikes and intense fighting, the average number of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Demawsoe Township and Pekon Township has increased by 10,000 each.”
During two weeks from February 28th to March 13th, 2022, 20,000 IDPs were added to the list. The total number of the IDPs in Karenni State has reached 197,115 as there are 10,000 new IDPs in Pekon Township and 10,000 new IDPs in Demawsoe Township, according to the KCSN’s list.
“During two weeks, 12 civilian deaths were reported. Two or three locals were injured by heavy shelling. Since the coup till date, the junta troops have killed more than 230 people. More than 170 civilians were injured,” he added.
Civilians from Moebye, Nanmalhone and Demawsoe Townships have fled to safer places as the military council’s troops have been conducting aerial and ground attacks since February 16th till date.
Khu Daniel, Secretary-1 of the Karenni State Progressive Party (KNPP) said: “It has been a long time since the civilians are moving. Since the first and second rounds, they have been moving. Then, they returned to the IDP camps. Now the IDPs moved again. The civilians flee the places where the heavy shells land. The military fires heavy weapons into the villages and conducts airstrikes in Moebye whether there is fighting or not. The military doesn’t want the IDPs to stay any longer. The military has assumed that those who take up arms are among the IDPs. For instance, the military fired heavy weapons assuming that the People’s Defence Force (PDF) and the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) were staying in the village. The armed groups are unable to stay any longer as the public has moved to other places. It aims to cut a connection between the public and armed groups. Due to the military council’s targeted attacks on the civilians, the number of the IDPs is increasing, and civilian deaths are reported every day.”
The availability of humanitarian aid and other assistance by the IDPs in Karenni State is difficult due to the military council troops’ increased inspections, restrictions and bans, according to those who are helping the IDPs.
As the military council troops are carrying out the firing of heavy weapons into the villages every day and conducting airstrikes on the IDP camps, no place is safe, according to the IDPs and those who are helping them.
Sent by the NMG.
