An interview with Naw Wah Khu Shee, spokesperson for Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN), on the situation in Kawkariek-Kyondoe amid ongoing clashes
Since the second week of April, intense fighting has been ongoing in the Kawkariek-Kyondoe area under the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade-6, Dooplaya District. The military junta has been relentlessly attacking with airstrikes, artillery shelling, and even targeting religious sites.
Karen Information Center (KIC) spoke with KSPN’s Spokesperson Naw Wah Khu Shee, who visited the conflict zone, to understand the challenges faced by locals amid these clashes.
Q: Can you describe the latest situation in the Kawkariek-Kyondoe area?
A: The military junta is attacking with artillery, aircraft, and drones, forcing local residents to flee from one place to another. They’re living in fear and facing significant challenges. When they flee to other villages, they encounter critical shortages, especially of food. From what I’ve seen, the airstrikes aren’t targeting specific military positions but are hitting civilian areas, including monasteries, churches, and schools. This has left the local population living in constant fear.
Q: Can you update us on the death toll and the extent of damage since 15 April?
A: At the moment, we only have data showing an increase in the number of displaced people. We haven’t been able to compile a complete tally yet.
Q: What did you see during your field visit? What are the urgent needs of the people?
A: It’s hard to describe the field visit precisely. The airstrikes are targeting civilian homes, religious buildings, and commercial areas. People are living in constant fear day or night. District and township leaders are doing their best to address the situation. Some organizations, along with district, township, and local leaders, are working as much as they can to ensure the safety of the people. However, the number of affected people is overwhelming.
The situation has been dragging on, so support is urgently needed. All kinds of assistance are needed. They’re doing their best, but the needs are significant. Right now, dry food items are the most critical need. Most of the aid we receive is limited to rice, with little else provided. So they especially need other food supplies. Even if they have enough for this month, they’ll still need more for the next. With the rainy season approaching, staying in other people’s homes for extended periods isn’t sustainable. So, shelters and medical supplies for healthcare are also desperately needed.
Q: If the fighting continues for a prolonged period, what challenges could the displaced people face?
A: If they can’t work to secure basic needs, they could face severe shortages in the coming year. This could lead to a cascade of urgent needs. Traditionally, if they can’t farm or sell crops, it will create significant difficulties. If they’re unable to return to their homes or feel unsafe doing so, it will also create challenges for those hosting them. If the military junta stops using artillery, aircraft, or drones to target civilians, these problems would be reduced. But as long as they continue these attacks, the local population will face immense hardships.
Q: For the displaced people who are unable to return to their homes, what considerations do you have to support them?
A: The people fleeing and hiding aren’t doing so by choice. They’re forced to escape because of the military junta’s actions targeting local communities. As long as the junta continues to have access to weapons, these displacements will persist. We need to do our best to block and restrict their access to these materials. Across Myanmar, people of all ages are suffering and dying on a daily basis, not just because of the conflict but also due to the junta’s actions against civilians.
Another critical step is to coordinate emergency aid efforts. People across Myanmar are providing support, but the needs are immense. Large-scale assistance is needed, and we must work together. Other countries should also recognize the urgent needs of those fleeing and provide the necessary support.
Q: In April, KPSN and other Karen organizations were working to secure aid for IDPs. What progress has been made on this?
A: After consultations among Karen organizations, we estimated that each displaced person would need one bag of rice, so three bags in total for three months. For 50,000 people, we’re hoping to secure at least rice as a start. But the actual needs are much greater. KPSN has made appeals based on our calculations of the affected population. However, donations don’t have to go through KPSN alone. People can contribute through other Karen organizations or directly contact those in need. While some funds come directly to KPSN, they are also distributed to other organizations, so we don’t have precise figures.
KPSN primarily requests emergency aid from other supporting organizations, as it’s challenging to manage without their help. Some donations we receive, such as those from religious groups, are redirected to areas with urgent needs. Support from abroad can face delays, so we rely on recipient organizations to handle distribution. KPSN isn’t a fundraising group but focuses on raising awareness and collecting data. We work collaboratively to ensure effective support and strive to do better in these efforts.
Q: How would KPSN like to encourage support for the displaced people?
A: Since the conflict began and displacements increased, people in Myanmar, including Karen organizations, have been working together extensively to provide support. It’s not just about aid from other countries. Local district, township, and community leaders are also doing their best to help. However, these efforts are not sustainable in the long term. Whether it’s an individual acting out of compassion or organizations and countries with allocated budgets, the support is significant.
We do what we can, and I’m grateful for the solidarity among our people in helping one another. We keep records of who provides support, and we hope for continued assistance for the Karen people. While we don’t rely solely on aid from other countries, their contributions can be substantial, and we hope for significant support given the scale of the needs.
Q: Finally, how does KPSN view the military junta’s actions in light of the rising number of deaths?
A: The military junta’s words and actions have always been contradictory, and we’ve known this for a long time. For us, it’s no longer a big deal. We will continue to prove everything through our actions. KPSN has previously documented their actions, and their statements often contradict what they do, which they themselves confirm through their behavior. We have no trust in what they say. They’re undermining their own credibility. There’s nothing surprising about that. We’ve never believed in them. Those who still trust them are making their own choices. They haven’t followed through on a single thing they’ve promised.
Sent by KIC.