Thousands of Karen IDPs need food and medicine

By DMG 09 May 2022

DMG Newsroom
9 May 2022, Kyainnseikgyi, Kayin State 

Fighting continues in Kyainseikgyi Township, Kayin (Karen) State, and civilians displaced by the ongoing hostilities are in urgent need of food and medicine, according to aid workers. 

Clashes broke out between the Myanmar military and its Border Guard Force (BGF) allies and coalition forces headed by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), in seven villages in Kyainnseikgyi Township, starting in the last week of April. 

As a result of the conflict, more than 3,000 villagers have been displaced and the internally displaced people (IDPs) are in urgent need of food and medicine, according to a local aid worker. 

“Fighting between the Myanmar military and the KNLA has been going on for almost two months, and intensified just before the end of April. More than 3,000 villagers have been displaced by the fighting,” the aid worker told DMG. “The displaced people are hiding in caves and forests. The displaced people need food and medicine, so we try to make it convenient for them.” 

The Myanmar military and its BGF contingent reportedly increased their collective presence near Kyainseikgyi Township in the first week of May. Tensions between the junta forces and KNLA Brigade 6 are high, and locals are worried about further clashes. 

“Earlier this month, the Myanmar military and the BGF tightened checks on civilians at checkpoints outside Kyainnseikgyi. More than 100 junta troops are stationed near Kyainseikgyi,” said a resident of Kyainnseikgyi. “If there is another clash with the KNU due to military tensions, things will not be easy for the locals.” 

There were more than 30 clashes between the Myanmar military-BGF units and the combined anti-regime forces headed by the KNLA in villages near Kyainseikgyi Township from April 23 to May 1, according to KNU Brigade 6 sources.