The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Kawthoolei areas controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU)— Taungoo, Myeik-Dawei, and Hpa-An Districts — increased by 4,157 in March, according to a statement from the Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People (CIDKP).
The CIDKP reported that clashes between Karen armed groups and the military junta, along with airstrikes, artillery attacks, and an earthquake on 28 March, contributed to the rise in IDP numbers within a single month.
Specifically, Taungoo District saw an increase of 2,883 IDPs, Myeik-Dawei District saw an increase of 909, and Hpa-An District saw an increase of 365.
Saw Kelly, deputy head of CIDKP, said: “The increase in IDPs in Taungoo is partly due to the earthquake. Over 500 households were affected. For the displaced people from the Htantabin area, they’ve had to endure the earthquake’s impact on top of everything else. When the quake hit, water streams shifted, and water sources dried up. Without electricity, we can’t pump water either. The main needs right now are water and food.”
Similarly, the earthquake affected over 900 households in Nyaunglebin District, Bago Region.
Furthermore, in Nyaunglebin, Thaton, Dooplaya, and Hpapun Districts—where IDP numbers had previously remained unchanged—the junta has continued airstrikes, drone operations, and artillery attacks, according to the CIDKP.
During the post-disaster recovery period, the military council announced a temporary ceasefire from 2 to 20 April.
However, local sources report that in practice, the junta has continued military operations, including troop movements, artillery shelling, and airstrikes, in KNU-controlled territories and other areas under the control of ethnic armed groups.
According to CIDKP data, as of the end of March, the IDP population in Thaton District stands at 141,385, Nyaunglebin District at 450,209, Hpapun District at 68,681, and Dooplaya District at 151,070.
Across all seven districts, the total number of IDPs has now reached 1,126,769.
Sent by KIC.
