Thousands of IDPs in Kayin State’s Kyainnseikgyi Twsp need food, medicine and shelter

18 Jan 2023

DMG Newsroom
18 January 2023, Kyainnseikgyi, Kayin State

The number of internally displaced people (IDPs) has surpassed 16,000 due to renewed fighting in Kyainnseikgyi Township, Kayin (Karen) State, since January 17, and the IDPs are in urgent need of food, medicine and shelter, according to aid workers.

Fierce clashes between the military and a coalition led by Brigade 6 of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) have been ongoing in Kyainnseiggyi Township, prompting thousands of local people from 22 villages to flee their homes.

An official of the Kyainnseiggyi IDP Assistance Committee said the IDPs are sheltering in the forests close to the IDP camps near the Thai-Myanmar border town of Phayathonzu.

“The number of IDPs has increased due to the military raids in some villages in Kyainnseiggyi Township. IDPs are fleeing to displacement camps near Phayathonzu,” he said.

“Food and shelter are urgently needed for IDPs. Medicines are not sufficient for IDPs,” the official added.

Anti-regime forces led by the KNLA have launched attacks on the military’s Kyainnseikgyi-based Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 32, 283 and 284 in recent days and fierce clashes broke out from January 4-10.

Fierce fighting was also reported in four villages of Kyainnseikgyi Township on January 18, according to a source close to the KNLA.

The Karen National Union (KNU) said in a statement that the Kyainnseikgyi-Phayathonzu road and Kyaikmaraw- Phayathonzu road would be closed to traffic for a week, from January 16 to 23, to protect local residents by restricting their travel amid fighting in Kyainnseikgyi Township. There are difficulties in traveling to help IDPs due to road closures, according to an aid worker in Kyaikmaraw.

“It is not easy for us to provide IDPs with relief items as both the military and KNU blocked off the road. We are trying our best to supply relief items to the IDPs,” he added.

Fighting is ongoing between the military and a coalition led by the KNLA, and large contingents of junta soldiers are conducting military operations in the area, according to sources on the ground.