Concerns and hardships faced by locals in the western part of Pekon amid airstrikes and heavy shelling
Fighting has been ongoing for over a month along the border between Pekon and Pinlaung Townships. Locals in Pekon have fled to safer areas, terrified by the sounds of airstrikes and shelling fired by the military junta.
The clashes between junta forces and revolutionary groups have intensified in the villages along the border and nearby areas. As a result, not only residents of Pekon but also internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been forced to flee once more, seeking refuge in the eastern part of Pekon Lake and the western part of Pekon Township.
The following is a collection of voices from Pekon locals, displaced once again by the fighting, as well as from some internally displaced persons (IDPs), highlighting their concerns, needs, and the difficulties they face during their displacement.
Daw Day Day (Pekon local)
“There is so much to worry about. Every time I hear sounds, I wonder if they will come near where I live. Will I have to flee again? We’re not just concerned for ourselves, but also for the elderly and the children. We’ve already fled to two or three different places. We don’t know where to go next. We can’t afford the transportation costs to flee elsewhere. We’re worried because there seems to be no safe place left to escape to. We grow paddy and corn, but only a few acres of corn. Some IDPs grow paddy, while others work as day laborers on other plantations. But the income from these jobs is not enough for us to survive. With the rising prices of goods every day, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet.”
A displaced woman in her 50s
“I am worried. Sometimes I don’t know if a plane will fly overhead and drop bombs, so I’m constantly anxious. I’m scared. I even told my children that we should dig some trenches for safety.”
Maung Sein (Pekon local)
“What we need here is something different. As displaced people, we have unmet needs. I can’t afford to flee; I had to hire a vehicle just to get here. I still can’t pay the fees. I had to escape with so much difficulty and fear. I had to build a hut, but I don’t know if I’ll stay here for long or if I’ll have to flee again. I hear the sound of planes flying overhead once or twice a day. I’m always thinking about whether I should prepare a place to flee to, rather than how long I’ll be here—whether it’ll be months or years.
A displaced woman in her 40s
“There is so much needs. This isn’t our home, so it’s hard for us to find work. We also need healthcare and medicine, but the clinics are far away. I feel anxious every time I hear the sound of planes. I don’t feel safe. Even though there are bomb shelters, I am always worried. When I go to the shelter, we wonder, what will I do if the bombs fall while I’m inside?”
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times