Kantarawaddy Times
In eastern Demoso Township, Karenni State, two internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, including Kusweat and Kalawhtooleh, are being forced to ration water due to dwindling water resources, according to local residents.
At the Kusweat IDP camp, water is piped from a source located more than 3,000 feet away. However, due to the current shortages, each household is now limited to collecting only two 5-gallon containers of water.
“The situation has become quite severe. Right now, we have to ration water with each household allowing two containers of water,” said a female committee member from the Kusweat IDP camp.
Due to these water restrictions, residents are increasingly concerned about potential health problems. Some camp residents are already experiencing skin irritation and itching, believed to be caused by poor personal hygiene resulting from the lack of water.
“We are worried that limited access to water will reduce personal hygiene and lead to skin diseases,” the same committee member added.
Similarly, at the Kalawhtooleh IDP camp, water is sourced from a single spring at the foot of a mountain, just like in Kusweat camp. However, this spring is now drying up, so the remaining water is being used only for drinking.
The spring is located about one mile away from the Kalawhtooleh camp.
As water is conserved only for drinking, residents must travel to ponds in Hteepoekaloe village tracts for personal hygiene needs.
“Sometimes there are no motorbikes or cars available. Walking there is also difficult, especially for elderly people who cannot travel easily,” said another IDP committee member.
The displaced people in these two camps originally fled from Loikaw Township and Pekhon Township. Altogether, the two camps host around 160 households.
