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KARENNI STATE – On July 6th, a person assisting Karenni Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) reported that there is a scarcity of basic food items such as rice, oil, and salt in the refugee camps. The military situation in Karenni State has been increasingly tense in recent months, exacerbating the situation as the junta council blocks roads and deliberately restricts access to food for those fleeing the conflict.
“The shortage has been going on for almost a week. The most critical shortage is rice, which is the staple food. Previously, we had to mix rice with corn due to limited supplies, but now even rice is insufficient for the number of refugees here. We are in a situation where each family can’t even get 2 kg of rice per week,” explained one of the refugees.
On the eastern side of Demoso, clashes between the military council and the People’s Defense Forces have intensified in villages such as Dotamagyi and Dongye Khu. As a result of the army’s violent actions, approximately 40,000 people from the entire eastern side of Demoso have sought shelter in villages located in the western part of Demoso.
A woman assisting the refugees mentioned that the military council’s roadblocks have halted trading activities, causing the price of a bag of raw rice (48 kg) to rise to around 70,000 kyats. Additionally, donations for IDPs are rare.
Moreover, there is a scarcity of medicine in the refugee camps. Due to the lack of clean drinking water, seasonal flu, fever, and diarrhea have become common illnesses. “Obtaining basic food is already challenging, so accessing medicine becomes even more difficult. Even though I gathered whatever I could, it was not sustainable as the health issues keep arising one after another, like seasonal flu,” she explained. Access to clean drinking water is also a problem. Even during the rainy season, when rain is scarce for a few days, the need for water becomes critical. Improperly boiled drinking water leads to diarrheal diseases.
The people living in the western part of Demoso, facing these challenging conditions, not only endure hardships but also face constant insecurity. They are frequently displaced as the military council conducts airstrikes on the camps, necessitating frequent relocations, as explained by an individual in an IDP camp.