By Kantawaraddy Times
The Daw Noe Ku Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp, situated along the Thai-Karenni border, is grappling with severe water shortages, forcing residents to ration their usage. Reports indicate that the scarcity has intensified, leaving many struggling to meet their daily water needs.
Currently, water is drawn from a nearby reservoir, but the supply is strictly rationed. Each household is permitted to collect only two buckets of water daily under a token-based system.
Residents must queue for long hours and await their designated turn, a process that has further strained the camp’s population of over 2,700 people.
“Water is extremely scarce, and everyone has to wait in long lines to collect their share. Each family is allowed only two buckets of water, though some manage to collect extra. When the water flow is strong, it’s quicker to fill up, but when it’s weak, we’re stuck waiting for hours. During summer, tensions run high, and disputes often break out over who gets more or less water. It feels like we’re rationing everything in a very regimented way,” explained a female resident of the camp.
While some residents rely on water deliveries to the camp, others must travel to distant locations to collect water for their daily needs. The growing population at the camp exacerbates the problem, as latecomers often find the supply depleted. This has prompted many to wake up early to secure their spot in line.
“I feel like we spend most of our lives collecting water,” said another resident. “Right now, the situation is somewhat manageable, but when the weather becomes extremely hot, the water source dries up quickly. Our neighborhood is large, and with so many people, the water supply can’t meet the demand. Even now, it’s insufficient—we sometimes wait until noon or make multiple trips to get enough water, and there are days we don’t get any at all. To regulate access, the camp has started issuing collection tickets, which means we often have to wait for our turn the next day. During the summer, it’s a constant struggle to secure even the minimum amount.”
The annual water scarcity at Daw Noe Ku Camp worsens as summer approaches. Although water is piped in from nearby sources, the supply is inadequate for the camp’s growing population, leaving residents to contend with ongoing shortages and rationing measures.
