Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and aid organizations report that most of the IDP camps in Demoso Township, Karenni State, are struggling with a severe water shortage.
U Yan Hnaung Hein of the Karenni Humanitarian Team (KHT) stated that most IDPs in Demoso Township have limited access to water.
U Yan Hnaung Hein said, “A committee member informed us when we went to donate water that, due to the increasing number of IDPs, each displaced person is only allowed about three bottles of water (the yellow bottles used for cooking oil) per week. Because of the water shortage, washing clothes has been prohibited, and they are only allowed to do so when there are water donations. The water is primarily used for washing plates and cooking. Ensuring enough water for them is extremely difficult.”
The Karenni Humanitarian Team (KHT) stated that this year, the drinking water crisis has worsened due to the rising number of IDPs compared to last year, along with the increase in fuel prices.
A displaced woman from the camp in the west of Demoso said, “Water is scarce here, but the situation varies from place to place. Some areas have no water at all. I have to carry water from far away. We have to pay Ks 50,000 per vehicle and Ks 200,000 per tractor for water transportation. Some people with their own vehicles carry water themselves from the locations where it is available.”
The organizations providing aid to IDPs are donating drinking water, but due to the increasing number of displaced people, aid providers say they are unable to reach everyone in need.
U Zaw Min Htike from the Kyay Lat Myay civil society organization, which is assisting IDPs in Karenni State, said, “Currently, many IDP camps in Karenni are facing water shortages. Some people who are near water sources and creeks can dig deep wells, but in other areas, there are no nearby creeks or water wells.”
Local IDPs and aid groups say that the eastern part of Demoso is facing greater difficulties in accessing water compared to the western part.
U Yan Hnaung Hein said, “It is very difficult for us to reach the eastern part of Demoso, even with a water donor. I went there once with a vehicle carrying 2,000 gallons of water. The journey is tough; the mountains are steep, there are large rocks, and tire blowouts and bursts are common along the road. It gets dark before we can reach the other side.”
U Yan Hnaung Hein said, “It takes half a day of driving to transport water from the source to the area where the IDPs are sheltering. The minimum cost for water transport is at least Ks 100,000. The price for 1,000 gallons of water ranges from Ks 200,000 to Ks 300,000.”
Most areas in Demoso Township, Karenni State, have been facing water shortages since November.
Sent by NMG
