There is an urgent need for food and medicine for the IDPs as the routes are blocked by ongoing fighting in Karenni (Kayah) State, according to the persons helping the IDPs.
Fighting has been taking place since the launch of the “Operation 1111” in Karenni State. As a result, the routes have been blocked, and food and medicine have run out, said Khu Plu Reh, General Secretary of the Interim Executive Council (IEC) of Karenni State.
“In general, the availability of medicine and food are quite difficult. All roads are closed. It is not convenient to carry it. That’s why there is a shortage of medicine and food in some places. We are working on the first and second priority plans for the IDPs. This means that the places that are not needed very much are on the priority lists, and the places that need them more are prioritized. At present, there is a massive influx of people as fighting is taking place in Loikaw and nearby areas. The number of IDPs has increased suddenly. That is why, the demands for medicine, rice and dry rations are very high,” Khu Plu Reh, General Secretary of the Interim Executive Council (IEC) of Karenni State said.
The ongoing fighting has blocked two trade routes in Karenni State—Moebye-Loikaw route and Taungoo-Yardo route, local residents said. As a result of this situation, the flow of commodities has completely stopped at present, according to the persons helping the IDPs.
Ko Michael, an official of Kayaw Youth Organization (KwYO), which helps the displaced people, said that the newly-arrived Loikaw IDPs, including more than 6,000 IDPs who take refuge in the western part of Phruso Township, are facing food shortages.
“There is nothing left. There is no shelter, food and medicine. There is also a shortage of goods, and gasoline. Currently, Taungoo road is closed due to fighting. The IDPs could not bring anything. Some IDPs fled only with a bag. Some people take refuge in their relatives’ houses. Sometimes when the IDPs ask for clothes, we have nothing” Ko Michael said.
Ko Michael added that there are 216 people and 56 households, even in the Hoya group in the western part of Phruso Township, and there are still more IDPs who will come.
“It is necessary to open the roads for humanitarian works by sympathizing with the IDPs in the State, and it is necessary for the international community to help and support them,” Khu Plu Reh, General Secretary of the Interim Executive Council (IEC) of Karenni State said.
“We are in need of international humanitarian aid. In particular, we need more cross-border assistance. The military council has blocked the inflow of aid. This should not happen. Humanity is something that everyone must understand and allow. Military council and international community are required to open the routes for humanitarian aid,” Khu Plu Reh continued.
Khu Plu Reh added that the neighboring countries along the border should also open channels to provide practical assistance to the IDPs.
“In particular, neighboring countries should provide more practical assistance and support. Then they need to seek their own channels. Only then will our IDPs be able to get the necessary help. Or else, it’s a concern for the public,” he said.
In addition to the closure of routes in Karenni State, the people have no access to telephone lines and internet connection, people who are helping the IDPs say that it is difficult to know the military situation on the ground and the situation of the IDPs in real time.
Due to the fighting between the Karenni force and the military council after “Operation 1111Ó, more than 45,000 people from Loikaw have fled from 11 to 19 November, according to the Karenni Human Rights Group’s (KHRG) report.
Sent by NMG.