By Kantarawaddy Times
Civilians fleeing the fighting in Pekon, Pinlaung and Hsihseng townships in southern Shan State are in desperate need of food.
A volunteer from an aid group in Pinlaung township said they have received some help from local donors, but no large groups have been helping to feed them.
“We have kept some rice for them,” he said, but expects it’ll all be used up in July if no more help comes.
A person who moved into a camp in Hsihseng Township told Kantarawaddy Times that they used to receive donations every two or three months, but it has been three months and they’re still waiting for more help.
The volunteer said there are over 5,000 people in Pinlaung Township who have fled their villages. In Pinlaung, they come from Tawng Mae Thinn, Lung Pyin, Pin Pon and Nam Neing, but some have also come to the township from Demoso Township in Karenni State.
In Hsihseng Township, people have fled from Mobye in southern Shan State and from Demoso, Hpruso and Loikaw townships in Karenni State.
Another volunteer helping displaced people in western Pekon Township, where about 20,000 people live, said they haven’t received anything for more than a month.
“It’s very difficult to send food rations for IDPs (internally displaced persons) in this area because of the Burma army’s blockage,” he told Kantarawaddy Times.
Currently, rice costs between $33 to $38 a bag.
