The Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) issued a statement on 28 October calling for assistance, noting that despite ongoing emergency rescue and rehabilitation efforts in flood-affected areas of Karenni State, additional assistance is still needed.
According to the IEC, they are working on resettlement efforts in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Humanitarian and Rehabilitation, civil society organizations, and township administrations, but more support is required.
IEC records show that during September, flooding affected 16 IDP camps and 54 villages across 10 townships, including Pekon, Loikaw, Nan Mei Khon, Dee Baung Khu, Demoso (East), Ho Yar, Bawlakhe, So Mo/Phray Soe Lay (Shadaw) and Mese and Maw Chee area.
An aid worker helping flood victims in eastern Demoso Township said: “Rebuilding work is underway. We’re rebuilding shelters now. While we’ve received some roofing materials, we still need many other forms of assistance.”
According to the IEC statement, they need over US$7 million to address various needs, including one month’s food supplies for 150,000 people affected by conflict and natural disasters, reconstruction of 1,947 destroyed homes, rehabilitation of 10,867 acres of damaged farmland, and household supplies for 1,947 families who lost their homes to natural disasters.
The floods destroyed over 10,000 acres of Karenni farmers’ agricultural land and left nearly 2,000 households needing rebuilding assistance.
Local farmers, who primarily rely on corn and other crops, express concern about their long-term livelihood security due to crop losses.
Some farmers who borrowed money for corn seeds, fertilizer, and other expenses are now facing difficulties and have been taking up daily wage labor to make ends meet.
One local farmer explained: “Since locals depend on crops for their livelihood, the flooding of crops has created hardships. We’re trying to cope with these difficulties by taking whatever work we can find.”
The flooding, landslides, infrastructure damage, and crop destruction across the Karenni State occurred in September due to the effects of Typhoon Ragi.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times
