Aid workers said they were struggling to provide basic food supplies to people who had fled to the forests after the battle of Khampat in Tamu Township.
On 22 July, clashes broke out between the Myanmar army and local People’s Defense Forces (PDF). As a result, the road between Khampatand Tamu was blocked, making it difficult for the IDPs to receive essential supplies, said Boinu of the Kuki Women’s Human Rights Organization (KWHRO).
“Right now, we want to help them, but we don’t know how to do it. There is no way to send supplies to them. We can’t get in touch those who fled into the forests,” she said of the situation on the ground.
Aid workers said that the displaced Tamu residents needed rice, cooking oil, salt, potatoes, medical supplies for household use, and tarpaulins, as they have been on the run for more than ten days.
Boinu further explained that it might become difficult for them to buy food if the blockade of the route is lifted.
“We are also running out of basic supplies in Tamu; we can’t buy them anymore. We have no idea how to get them even if the roadblock is lifted. This is a difficult situation for us,” she added.
According to reports, the armed conflict has forced more than 3,000 residents to take shelter in nearby forests along the Myanmar-India border, in Hmuntha, Changelzawl and Letpanchaung villages in Kale Township, and in Tarhan Ward in downtown Kale.
Of the displaced, 700 fled to Chandel District in Manipur State and near New Lajang village on the Indian side. According to some media reports, they were later driven out by the Indian Assam Rifles.
Tamu locals said they sought refuge in villages in Tamu Township after being driven back from India.
A Tamu resident who is helping IDPs said, “Some people fled to Manipur in India when fighting broke out. Some of them had also been expelled from India. So we can’t help them properly. Some of the displaced people have also taken shelter in the forests along the India-Myanmar border. We can’t provide them with basic food supplies at the moment”
Those helping the displaced said that the displaced pregnant women in Tamu need medical supplies.
“They don’t have access to vaccines. Normally, pregnant women and children can get vaccinated at the Premiere Hospital Center (PHC) on the Indian side. There they get them free of charge. But under the circumstances, the clinics are not open all the time. Moreover, it is not easy for them to reach the PHC from the villages where they are currently living. This has led to some pregnant women giving birth without the help of a clinic,” says Boinu.
Most of the IDPs in Kale Township were also going through the situation with the help of their respective ethnic and religious groups, according to the IDPs.
Although most residents had fled to safer areas only after the 22 July fighting, those who could not afford (the expenses), the elderly and people in poor health remained in the town.
Sent by KMG.