Kantarawaddy Times
According to the IEC announcement released on June 16, joint forces of the Myanmar military junta and the Pa-O National Organization (PNO) launched large-scale military offensives in early June, advancing from Moebye and Lwel Paw village, which is located in the eastern Pekhon, toward Loikaw and DeeMawHso townships. These offensives have resulted in heavy clashes, so tens of thousands of local residents are forced to flee their homes.
Therefore, the Interim Executive Council (IEC) of Karenni State has issued a statement today, June 16, appealing for humanitarian aid for approximately 40,000 civilians who have been displaced by intensified military operations in the region.
Even though there are some efforts from civil society organizations (CSOs) to provide assistance, shortages remain, said U Ba Nyar, IEC’s Deputy Secretary (2).
“At the moment, CSOs in the affected area, along with the IEC’s Humanitarian Affairs Department, called Lu Sar Pyan and township administrative teams, are doing what they can. But the needs are still ongoing. Since we have many townships and now that it’s the rainy season, relocation has become even more difficult,” he explained.
Civilians have suffered casualties due to not only the military’s ground offensives but also artillery shelling and airstrikes.
The IEC strongly urged the international community to acknowledge the challenges faced by displaced civilians and to increase support for their safety and food security through humanitarian aid.
The statement further noted that the estimated monthly food requirement for the roughly 40,000 displaced people would cost over USD 450,000.
Currently, the affected population includes about 7,000 households from across five village tracts in the eastern Pekhon and Moebye area. These communities are facing severe hardships due to the ongoing armed conflict.
