Kantarawaddy Times
Karenni IDPs taking shelter near Taunggyi, Southern Shan State, are suffering from skin infections and urgently need medical supplies, according to the IDPs itself.
The outbreak of skin conditions, affecting both adults and children, started back in September. IDPs have appealed for financial and medical support, said a female volunteer assisting the displaced individuals.
“The outbreak has lasted for about two months now. They cannot afford to buy medicine because they are IDPs. Initially, they managed to obtain some medication for treatment, but they can no longer afford even ointments or oral medicine. They have stated that they are in urgent need of medicine and funds for treatment,” said a female volunteer assisting the IDPs.
More than half of the displaced population are affected, with children under ten being the most affected group. Commonly affected areas include the abdomen, back, fingers, and legs, and the infections have been persistent, according to reports.
“It’s hard to pinpoint a specific cause of the skin infections. While we might suspect the water, even those who use clean water are experiencing the same issues. It seems to be a generalized outbreak of the disease. After inspecting the water quality here, no issues have been identified,” said one female IDP.
In addition to medical supplies, the IDPs are in dire need of warm clothing and blankets as the winter season approaches. Currently, no organizations are providing assistance.
The IDPs, with the population around 100 people from 30 households, fled to Taunggyi following clashes along the Pekon-Pinlaung border in October. It has been reported that IDPs are primarily from Loikaw, Moebye, and Pekon townships.
