An interview with Naw Cherry, spokesperson for Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN), about hundreds of thousands of displaced Karen people at Thai-Myanmar border facing hardships due to reduced food aid
The Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN), along with 20 other Karen civil society organizations, said in a statement issued on 7 May 2025 that the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the Thai-Myanmar border had reached 108,000, facing humanitarian crisis due to cuts in food aid.
Than Lwin Times spoke with Naw Cherry, KPSN’s spokesperson, to learn more about the hardships faced by tens of thousands of displaced Karen people at the Thai-Myanmar border, the reasons behind the increasing number of displaced persons, as well as reactions to the human rights violations committed by the military junta.
Q: First, could you explain the key points in the 7 May statement issued by KPSN and the 20 Karen civil society organizations?
A: KPSN, together with 20 other Karen CSOs, issued a statement highlighting the urgent need for assistance due to the reduction in food supplies for IDPs. Among those at the Thai-Myanmar border are Karenni IDPs. But our focus is primarily on Karen IDP camps. We reported that 108,000 IDPs in these camps are facing severe food shortages and are deeply concerned about this issue. We issued this statement in collaboration with international Karen community organizations to raise awareness. Previously, a family would receive at least one or two baskets of rice, along with sufficient beans, oil, and salt. Now, they only get about 53 baht worth of supplies, not even enough for a single basket of rice.
Families are facing extreme hardships. They have no income, so how can they manage their monthly expenses? It’s difficult for them to go outside the camps. Without income, how are they supposed to feed themselves? This raises serious questions. Even if they want to return home due to the food aid cuts, they can’t because of ongoing airstrikes by the military council. In some districts, airstrikes are happening even without ground fighting. There’s no way for them to return. Their homes are gone, and hospitals, clinics, and schools have been targeted and destroyed. The statement highlights that, despite their desire to return, they are unable to do so under these conditions.
Q: The Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People (CIDKP) has reported that over one million IDPs are now in the seven districts controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU). What are the main reasons behind the increasing number of IDPs? And what challenges are these displaced people facing?
A: In the seven KNU-controlled districts, the total number of IDPs has surpassed one million. Particularly in Nyaunglebin and Dooplaya Districts, where Nyaunglebin is densely populated, intense fighting has occurred. In Dooplaya, clashes were taking place from 14 to 16 April along the Dawna Mountain Range, from Kyaikto to the Asian Highway.
The increase in IDP number is due to the Burmese military conducting unprovoked airstrikes and artillery shelling in some areas, even where no fighting is taking place. These attacks don’t target conflict zones but rather civilian gathering places, religious sites like churches and monasteries, schools, hospitals, clinics, and farmlands. As a result, people are too afraid to stay and are forced to flee into the forests.
Q: How is humanitarian aid reaching the over one million displaced persons? What challenges are encountered on the ground when delivering this aid?
A: Over one million displaced people in the seven districts cannot return home due to ongoing fighting and airstrikes. Delivering humanitarian aid to this population faces significant uncertainties. Even when we try to deliver aid quickly, we encounter inspections at various checkpoints. KPSN and other organizations are working through multiple channels to provide food, medical care, and supplies as much as possible. We coordinate with KNU leaders to assess needs and provide assistance.
In Dooplaya District alone, over 50,000 people are displaced. We’ve issued a statement highlighting the need for funding. After consulting with district authorities, we determined that 54 million [baht] is needed for three months’ worth of rice for these displaced people, particularly those affected by fighting in the Brigade 6 area. This funding isn’t solely for KPSN but also for our member organizations, including those providing healthcare. There’s also a need for shelter, cooking utensils, soap, mosquito nets, blankets, and personal hygiene products for women, especially during the rainy season when mosquitoes are prevalent. The needs are vast, both for short-term and long-term support, and we want to emphasize the scale of these needs.
Q: Among the over one million IDPs, what is the current situation for pregnant women, the elderly, people with disabilities, and young children? Are they receiving sufficient healthcare and food supplies?
A: The over one million displaced people include a diverse group: pregnant women, young children, and people with disabilities. Based on field observations from last month, innocent civilians are being forced to flee due to inhumane actions by an inhumane group. The elderly are also among the displaced. Pregnant women are not receiving adequate medical care. The junta airstrikes are targeting and destroying hospitals and clinics, and their indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians are utterly inhumane.
Food supplies are also insufficient. Our member organizations are collaborating to provide emergency assistance in whatever way possible. We are working together to address these issues, and these efforts are ongoing. However, these are only short-term solutions. For the long term, we still need to figure out how to proceed, which is another challenge entirely. There’s a significant need for medical treatment as well. In some areas, the lack of hospitals and clinics has led to loss of life. We’ve heard that people with chronic illnesses or underlying health conditions in particular are facing difficulties.
Q: We’ve noticed that the military junta is increasingly committing human rights violations through airstrikes and heavy weapons. What would you like to comment on these violations? What actions should international organizations take regarding the junta’s human rights violations?
A: Over the past four years since the military coup, all of Myanmar has witnessed and suffered from these actions. The whole nation has come together to resist the military dictatorship. What I want to highlight is that the Karen people have been fighting to overthrow this dictatorship for over 70 years. The suffering of our Karen community is immense. Many are forced to live as refugees or flee as displaced people against their will. I want this to be seen, known, and felt. Some people have spent their entire lives in refugee camps, and many have died there. The inhumane actions of a certain group have led to numerous human rights violations. Women, in particular, face significant abuses through the use of armed force.
Just as we do, international organizations have already seen and know about the human rights violations committed during these four years of the military coup. I want swift action taken against Min Aung Hlaing. Civil society organizations, including the NUG (National Unity Government), have collected and submitted all the evidence. Yet, seeing that no action has been taken so far is deeply disappointing and disheartening. The situation in Tabayin, where children were killed— did these children do anything wrong? It’s heartbreaking. Why is there such neglect? Beyond raising our voices and calling for help, I urge the UN and others to listen more closely to us. Act quickly. How many more lives must be lost before the voices of Myanmar’s people are heard? I want to ask: when will you listen?
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
A: Human rights violations and war crimes are already known to the international community. Yet, Myanmar continues to be ignored and neglected. I want to urge international organizations once again to listen to the cries of our children. We, as much as we are able, are protecting our people, and I want this to be known. With all our strength, we continue to safeguard our communities and carry on our work. I want this to be recognized.
We are not standing idle. With all our might, we are striving and acting with determination. I want to emphasize that we need a unified voice to stand with us and overthrow this military dictatorship. We want to prevent further inhumane acts and ensure that no more human rights violations occur. Just as we are raising our voices, I urge people from all walks of life to stand with us.
Sent by Than Lwin Times.