More than 700 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Monekoe Township in Muse District in northern Shan State are in urgent need of jackets and blankets as the winter season has set in, according to the IDPs and the persons helping the IDPs.
More than 700 IDPs are taking shelter in two churches, a monastery, a Chinese religuous building and forests in Monekoe Township.
An IDP taking shelter in the compound of Lisu church in Monekoe said: “The IDPs are in urgent need of blankets and jackets. The IDPs are unable to go home. Many IDPs are sleeping in the farms and the houses of relatives as the winter has set in. It is very cold here. The IDPs also need rations.”
Fighting continues between the military council’s troops and the MNDAA-Kokang in the Monekoe area till the first week of November. The military council is increasing deployments of troops there consecutively, according to the Kokang Information Department.
A youth helping the IDPs said: “On November 3rd, I heard the sounds of gunfire all day. The IDPs have a fear that they may move to another place. But, fighting is taking place everywhere and then stops for a while. No one dares to go home. The IDPs face some difficulties as they have to stay at the IDP camps. Some IDPs are sleeping in the farm and in the houses of relatives. At present, the IDPs are in need of blankets due to the winter season.”
These IDPs have to flee due to the fighting between the military council’s troops and the MNDAA-Kokang in the Monkoe area since August.
On November 2nd, fighting took place between the military council’s troops and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)-Kokang in the north of Narchan region between Lashio and Theinni road.
In addition, intense fighting continues in Monekoe area and Phaunghsaing area.
The MNDAA ambushed a military convoy heading to Phaunghsaing area from Monekoe to reinforce its troops, in the first week of November, according to the MNDAA’s statement.
Sent by the NMG.