More than 1000 local people who have fled to the forests due to the ongoing fighting in downtown areas of Swanparabwan in Kachin State are in urgent need of assistance, according to the locals helping the IDPs.
It has been more than 10 days since fighting took place in downtown areas. Around 1,300 locals have fled to forests and the villages near Swanparabwan due to the ongoing fighting.
A local from Swanparabwan said: “We are in need of medicine and food due to prolonged displacement. We have to rely on the shops in the villages. We will be in big trouble in the long run due to the closure of roads.”
Two armed forces have blocked Myitkyina-Putao road since the start of fighting. The situation becomes more difficult as there are no arrivals of trucks, the local said.
Currently, more than 200 people are taking shelter in the forests. Many people are taking shelter in the villages on the road heading to Myitkyina, the locals helping the IDPs.
Most of the IDPs are taking shelter in Swanparabwan, Mai Htawng, Hka garan Yang and Nta galu mare villages on Myitkkyina-Swanparabwan.
An official from Swanparabwan Church helping the IDPs said: “Now there is no one left in the town. All the people in Swanparabwan have fled the town. The IDPs are taking shelter in the forests by building bamboo huts while some IDPs are taking shelter in the houses of their relatives. Even two or three families have to stay in a house. So, we need to designate and build shelters for them due to prolonged displacement.”
We have reported it to the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC). We can’t carry the materials as the road section is blocked, the official added.
On 9 March, the combined force of Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People’s Defense Force (PDF) seized control of the military council’s Maliyan camp in Swanparabwan Township. The combined force continued an offensive to capture the military council’s Infantry Battalion-46 stationed in Swanparabwan.
It has been more than 10 days since intense fighting started. The military council is carrying out heavy bombardments to defend its camp, according to locals.
Currently, the military council is carrying out deployments of troops by air and overland. Tension continues to mount. The KIA suffered casualties in the fighting. Many junta soldiers are also killed, according to the frontline news sources.
The Myitkyina-Putao road has been closed for more than a week due to the fighting.
Sent by KNG.