By Kantarawaddy Times
Since September 9, continuous heavy rains have caused severe flooding across Karenni State and the Shan-Karenni border, displacing around 30,000 people who are now in urgent need of emergency assistance, according to the Interim Executive Council (IEC) of Karenni State.
In Pekon Township, over 2,600 people are sheltering in three displacement camps. In Loikaw, there are 5,000 flood-affected people from three villages and one displacement camp. In Dee Maw Hso Township, there are approximately 10,000 displaced people, and about 10,000 in Pruso Township. In Shadaw Township, 1,335 people are affected by the floods, according to the IEC’s statement on September 14.
The IEC’s General Secretary 2, U Banya, said international assistance is urgently needed for the displaced people, in addition to mutual aid from local communities.
“International assistance is greatly needed, especially food supplies. When homes are lost, it’s not just the house itself, but everything inside—pots, pans, dishes, rice, oil, salt. Clothes and blankets are gone too. It’s not easy for us to replace those things,” U Banya explained.
Flooding and landslides along the Karenni8 and Shan-Kaarenni border have caused destruction of roads and bridges, homes, and even loss of life over the past week.
Additionally, in Loikaw Township, over 3,000 acres of rice fields have been damaged, while in Dee Maw Hso Township, more than 1,000 acres of rice, as well as crops such as beans and sesame, have been destroyed due to submersion.
At least 24 people have died due to the flooding in the Karenni and Shan-Karenni border areas. There is an urgent need for basic food supplies such as rice, oil, salt, and beans for the 5,347 displaced households. Personal hygiene items like soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, clothing, women’s necessities, and clean drinking water are also critically needed.
Currently, materials such as tarps, bamboo, and zinc sheets are urgently required for constructing temporary shelters, and the IEC is calling for coordination with relevant organizations to assist in emergency rescue and relief efforts.
