In the midst of the ongoing armed conflict resulting from the recent military coup in Myanmar, people in Karenni State have been living as internally displaced persons for over two years, struggling with various difficulties.
In this vox pop, internally displaced people in Karenni tell of their struggle to survive in the face of food shortages, difficult living conditions and transportation difficulties.
Daw Hsar Say (A displaced person)
As for food, we have no more than a week’s supply. The situation is very difficult for us. In these hard times, we depend on the help of our fellow displaced people. The IDPs here help each other out of compassion and sympathy. We have to be very frugal. We used to cook five cans of rice for five people, but now we have to make do with three or four cans.
U Byar Noe A displaced person)
What they provide is not enough. The number of people has grown. And with all the children coming in, it’s no longer enough. We need to buy more from outside.
Daw Htoo Say (A displaced person)
I have to go and ask for help. Since my health is not good and I am running out of food, I call my relatives or siblings to ask for help. This is what I have to do. I can’t work and I have no more rice to eat. I don’t have money to buy rice or anything else I need. I have to ask them to send me food. Then my brothers and sisters who live far away send help for me. This is what it is like when we struggle to get food and other necessities.
Daw Noe Bar (a displaced person)
How does my family get by when we don’t get food for some time? Sometimes we go into the forest to look for food like mushrooms and bamboo shoots. But we don’t always dare to go there. Now the forests have become denser and there are more snakes. We also don’t dare to look for firewood anymore. Sometimes when I can’t work, the families here share what they have. I also share with them what I have. That’s how we get by.
Daw Teresa (a displaced person)
It is very difficult to get food. What they provide is not enough. Since we have no income, it is also difficult to find work. It’s even worse if you have small children to take care of. It’s also not easy to find work outside. We have to make do with the little they give us. Instead of using two spoons of cooking oil, we use only one. Instead of cooking two curries, sometimes we just mix them together.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times