By Kantarawaddy Times
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Hsi Hseng Township, located in southern Shan State, continue to face shortages of food and shelter, according to sources involved in humanitarian assistance.
Both newly arrived and long-term IDPs are still in need of support, said a local male volunteer working with displaced communities.
“Right now, there’s still a real need for food and shelter materials like tarps,” said a male volunteer assisting IDPs. “We’ve got both new and long-term displaced people here. The new ones are mostly locals who’ve just fled, and the long-term ones have been displaced for quite a while. But they all still need food and proper shelter.”
During the current rainy season, widespread flooding has affected many areas across Shan State. In some villages within Hsi Hseng Township, floodwaters have submerged residential farms and farmlands, exacerbating the challenges faced by local communities.
A representative from the Pa-O Youth Organization (PYO) noted that in recent years, IDPs have not only had to endure armed conflict but also frequent natural disasters, increasing their dependence on humanitarian aid.
“Because of these natural disasters, there is a significant increase in the need for humanitarian assistance everywhere. Previously, people were already suffering from flooding and earthquakes.
These compounded disasters have caused many aid groups to overlook the plight of war-displaced communities. Some IDPs haven’t received any food aid for 8 months to a year. So there’s a very real need for food supplies,” the representative added.
Hsi Hseng Township has become a refuge for many IDPs from Karenni State, especially following the launch of a full-scale military operation on November 11, 2023. Since then, a large influx of displaced persons has arrived in the area.
Currently, it is estimated that over 6,000 displaced people from Karenni State and more than 10,000 local IDPs remain in Hsi Hseng Township, according to humanitarian workers in the area.
