Myanmar Times :
Intensified clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Sumprabum township forced over 1000 villagers to flee their homes, a member of a non-government organisation told The Myanmar Times on Wednesday.
Father Vincent Shanlong, an official of the Justice and Peace Commission, said the almost daily fighting between the Tatmadaw and the KIA started on January 17.
“The refugee camp and the Tatmadaw camp are separated by the Malikha River, and they can see each other,” he said. “When the Tatmadaw fired heavy weapons, the shells fell near Ndut Yang refugee camp. The villagers are fleeing into the jungle, and I don’t know where they are now.”
Father Vincent said on Monday, heavy weapons fired one shell at the nursery school at Ndut Yang village refugee camp.
U Lamai Gum Ja, an official of the the Peace Talks Creation Group based in Myitkyina, said there was a lull in the fighting on Tuesday.
“As far as I know, when villagers left their houses, they brought nothing but the clothes they wore,” he said. “As they are staying in the jungle, there will be many difficulties. No one has informed us of their condition.”
Reverend Bang Seng, who is in charge of Ndut Yang refugee camp, said he was told that one of the fleeing villagers who was pregnant has given birth.
Daw Nang Pu, one of the fleeing villagers who was contacted by Rev Bang Seng, said the refugees do not know exactly where they are but they need shelter, clothes, medicine and food.
“We are running in the forest. Some people took some grain when they left the village. I heard that they are sharing it. We can’t do anything as we don’t know where they are,” said Daw Nang Pu.
The villagers previously had to leave their villages due to fighting between the Tatmadaw and KIA in 2016 and resettled in the camp.
Although the river is the main route to get to the refugees in that area, jetties have been banned there since 2012, so it is extremely difficult to send humanitarian aid to the refugees, said Father Vincent Shanlong.
Ndut Yang refugee camp is located near the Malikha River, which is 17 miles from Sumprabum.
Intensified clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Sumprabum township forced over 1000 villagers to flee their homes, a member of a non-government organisation told The Myanmar Times on Wednesday.
Father Vincent Shanlong, an official of the Justice and Peace Commission, said the almost daily fighting between the Tatmadaw and the KIA started on January 17.
“The refugee camp and the Tatmadaw camp are separated by the Malikha River, and they can see each other,” he said. “When the Tatmadaw fired heavy weapons, the shells fell near Ndut Yang refugee camp. The villagers are fleeing into the jungle, and I don’t know where they are now.”
Father Vincent said on Monday, heavy weapons fired one shell at the nursery school at Ndut Yang village refugee camp.
U Lamai Gum Ja, an official of the the Peace Talks Creation Group based in Myitkyina, said there was a lull in the fighting on Tuesday.
“As far as I know, when villagers left their houses, they brought nothing but the clothes they wore,” he said. “As they are staying in the jungle, there will be many difficulties. No one has informed us of their condition.”
Reverend Bang Seng, who is in charge of Ndut Yang refugee camp, said he was told that one of the fleeing villagers who was pregnant has given birth.
Daw Nang Pu, one of the fleeing villagers who was contacted by Rev Bang Seng, said the refugees do not know exactly where they are but they need shelter, clothes, medicine and food.
“We are running in the forest. Some people took some grain when they left the village. I heard that they are sharing it. We can’t do anything as we don’t know where they are,” said Daw Nang Pu.
The villagers previously had to leave their villages due to fighting between the Tatmadaw and KIA in 2016 and resettled in the camp.
Although the river is the main route to get to the refugees in that area, jetties have been banned there since 2012, so it is extremely difficult to send humanitarian aid to the refugees, said Father Vincent Shanlong.
Ndut Yang refugee camp is located near the Malikha River, which is 17 miles from Sumprabum.
