Tanintharyi Region IDPs total nearly 20,000, more than doubling in May 

By DMG 04 Jun 2022

DMG Newsroom
4 June 2022, Sittwe 

More than 19,000 people have been displaced by clashes in Tanintharyi Region, according to humanitarian groups helping the internally displaced people (IDPs). 

Prior to the month of May, there were more than 7,000 IDPs in Tanintharyi Region, and the number had increased to 19,000 by the first week of June. 

“Nearly 9,700 more IDPs were displaced in May. Combined, the number now stands at 19,000 and counting,” said a humanitarian worker. 

IDPs are staying at temporary displacement camps, monasteries and in forested areas, according to humanitarian groups.  

“We have provided rice supplies that can last throughout the rainy season. But there are many other things they still need, and we can’t yet provide,” said one donor. 

IDPs need medicines, said health workers providing healthcare services for displaced people. 

“We still seriously lack medicines, because it has been difficult to transport them. The regime imposes strict checks on roads, and there are also junta columns marching from place to place to launch attacks. We urgently need medicine for seasonal flu, malaria and diarrhoea,” said a health worker. 

Clashes took place almost daily last month in Myeik, Tanintharyi and Dawei townships, and along the Dawei-Htee Khee road near the Thai-Myanmar border, with the fighting pitting junta troops against the Karen National Defense Organisation, an armed branch of the Karen National Union (KNU).