By Kantarawaddy Times
Internally displaced people (IDPs) from Karenni State and Pekon Township continue to rely on borrowing rice from nearby friends and relatives to meet their daily food needs, according to displaced residents.
In Naung Khaik IDP camp, which is home to more than 1,000 people in Pekon Township, many residents have been forced to borrow rice due to poor yields from local paddy fields. A male IDP originally from Moe Bye explained the situation:
“Many IDPs are farming, but even those who farm have to borrow from others. Some families rely on their relatives for daily sustenance. For instance, some borrow rice from family members with the promise to repay it after the harvest,” he said.
Since May 17, intensified clashes in Pinlaung Township, Southern Shan State—between resistance forces and the junta’s military, including its allied PNO militia—have led to heavy artillery shelling by Infantry Battalion 422, based in Moe Bye. Several shells reportedly exploded in the paddy fields, putting additional pressure on local farmers.
If this year’s summer rice harvest cannot proceed due to ongoing conflict, the situation for IDPs dependent on borrowed rice could become even more dire.
Meanwhile, displaced residents from Dee Maw Hso town, currently staying at Shwe Lar IDP camp in western Dee Maw Hso, reported that they have been unable to return to their farmland and must depend on food donations.
However, after more than four years of displacement, donations have significantly declined. As a result, many have turned to odd jobs to afford food, while others borrow rice when they lack income.
“Living with constant debt has become normal. Whenever we earn money, our first priority is to repay what we owe—especially for rice. We can’t afford to buy other basic household necessities,” said a woman living in Shwe Lar IDP camp.
According to the Interim Executive Council (IEC)’s first quarterly report for 2025, food assistance has been distributed to approximately 150,000 people in Karenni State.
IEC’s Director of Humanitarian Affairs and Rehabilitation, Khu Matthia, explained that while aid distribution is based on field assessments, achieving full coverage across the entire state remains impossible due to limited resources.
“We provide a minimum of four pyi (about 8.4 kg) of rice per person. At most, we distribute up to six pyi, along with oil and salt. The international standard is eight pyi per person. But to meet that standard, we need more international support, as we cannot afford to do it alone,” said Khu Matthia.
A displaced woman added that IDPs must now accept any available work to survive, as they can no longer rely solely on donations.
Since the military coup in 2021, the IEC estimates that approximately 350,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Karenni State and Pekon Township.
