There is an urgent need for food and medicine for around 500 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) taking shelter on the bank of Than Lwin River in Karenni (Kayah) State, locals said.
“At present, we have no food rations. We are in dire need of food as we ran away without bringing anything. At the moment, there is no medicine and there is no doctor. So, we have to provide healthcare with what we have. Both the elderly and children need different things,” the IDP said.
The IDPs are the ones who fled the battles in Hpasawng, Bawlakhe and Mese Townships in Karenni State in June.
The food they brought was only enough for a week, and they are currently facing difficulties for food. The IDPs said they have reported their current difficulties to the relevant groups.
Transportation is difficult as the IDPs are taking shelter in the forests. The military council is blocking the food supply routes, he added.
Caption: Some IDPs taking shelter in the forest beside the Than Lwin River.
A member of the Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) said that they are working in coordination with relevant groups in order to meet the food needs of the refugees.
“We manage food for the IDPs and arrange routes. However, we have a lot of needs. It happens suddenly. The number of fleeing IDPs is around at least one thousand. The IDPs are in need of food, medicine and shelters. It is dangerous in terms of the military if they stay in a place. There may be many requirements as the IDPs are scattered,” the IEC member said.
In the second week of June, there were fierce battles in Mese, Hpasawng and Ywathit in Karenni State. Due to the military council’s bombardment, locals fled to safety. Most of the IDPs are women, the elderly and children.
More than 200,000 residents have fled their homes due to clashes in various parts of Karenni State after the coup. The number of IDPs who have reached the Thai-Karenni border is currently increasing, the people helping the IDPs.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times.