More than 500 displaced people who have arrived at the Kokang Community Hall in Hpa Yar Hpyu Ward in Shan State’s capital Taunggyi are in urgent need of emergency assistance, according to local aid workers.
The displaced people have been arriving in batches since June 25, when the second round of “Operation 1027″ began. Currently, the number of displaced people outweighs the number of donors, creating a need for additional aid, aid workers say.
One aid worker said: “They need everything. They arrived with nothing, so they need food and clothes. Donors are giving as much as they can but it’s not enough.”
Among the displaced are 61 orphans, elderly people, those with chronic illnesses, people with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and infants. Aid workers say there is a need for nutritional supplements and medical supplies.
The displaced people have fled from northern Shan State’s Lashio, Thibaw, Naungcho, Kyaukme, Momeik, and Mogok in Mandalay Region. The current number of arrivals has exceeded the designated capacity, and the hall can no longer accommodate the new arrivals.
A displaced woman said, “There are many school-age children. There are also pregnant women. We need help. Schools are saying they won’t accept children without transfer certificates. We’re looking for schools. It will be difficult if they don’t accept them.”
The displaced are only accepted at places such as the Shan Pitakat Monastery, Weluwan Monastery, Shan Literature and Culture Center, and Kokang Community Hall in Taunggyi. Due to the extremely high rental prices, most of the displaced people have started to move to nearby towns.
According to a statement by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), within the 24 days of “Operation 1027”, 94 civilians were killed and 131 were injured due to airstrikes and artillery attacks by the military junta forces.
Locals say that in the battles in northern Shan State, as in other townships, the military junta has targeted civilian areas indiscriminately, without distinguishing between military and civilian targets.
Sent by NMG.