Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in a camp in western part of Hpruso Township in Karenni (Kayah) State are experiencing mental stress and facing domestic violence, according to people providing assistance to the displaced.
Due to livelihood difficulties, the displaced people in the Har Mu IDP Camp are reportedly sufferinfrom mental stress, with domestic violence occurring daily, said volunteers assisting IDPs in Kay Kaw and Raw Daw Khaw village tracts of Hubaw Township.
A woman volunteer said: “When families can’t meet their basic needs, arguments arise between husbands and wives, and domestic violence. This leads to depression and sadness. Even when we see a family that seems to be doing fine without any problems, they become depressed when thinking about their future and what lies ahead.”
There are 25 households at the Har Mu IDP Camp in Kay Kaw village tract.
Commenting on the stressful conditions at the camp, a displaced mother said:
“When we fled from the fighting, we faced livelihood difficulties on the one hand. As for living conditions, we don’t feel free because this isn’t our own place or region. When we try to do something, we’re told ‘don’t do this, don’t do that’. When we face such restrictions, it causes mental suffering.”
The displaced people are requesting that counseling services be provided to help reduce their mental stress.
A woman volunteer helping the IDPs said: “Right now, both young and old are experiencing severe psychological trauma. The displaced people have suggested that they need counseling services. They need psychosocial support. It would be good if there were people available to provide this kind of counseling.”
As the Har Mu IDP Camp, which has difficult transportation access, has now been housing displaced people for four years, the IDPs say they need basic food supplies, emergency medications for skin diseases, other medicines, and psychological counseling services.
Sent by NMG.