More than 600 IDPs in need of humanitarian assistance in Nawngkio Township, northern Shan State
By Network Media Group
February 12, 2023
Over 600 people were displaced by clashes between the Mandalay People’s Defense Force (PDF) and the Burma Army in Nawngkio Township in northern Shan State.
On 10 February, there were intense clashes in Lon Khan village from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. During the clashes the Burma Army launched airstrikes on Mandalay PDF positions.
Some civilian houses were damaged by the airstrikes. Lon Khan villagers said that they don’t know the full extent of the damage in their village because they fled for their safety.
“The clash took place for almost the whole day on 10 February. All people living in the area fled due to the fighting. Some people have taken shelter in Ho Kho village, and others went to Doe Pin village. I am now taking refuge in another village,” a female Lon Khan village resident (source 1) told NMG.
Villagers from Lon Khan, Doe Pin, Kalarkwe, Ner Hker and Kyan Khin villages fled the clashes on 10 February. Volunteers said that a total of 550 people have taken shelter in a Buddhist monastery in Ho Kho village, and about 50 people are staying in their relative’s homes in Ho Kho village. Other displaced villagers took refuge in Thone Sel village and in Nawngkio town.
“Some IDPs did not bring anything when they came to our village. Our village has provided some food rations to these IDPs,” a female Ho Kho village resident (source 2), who is helping the IDPs, told NMG.
Volunteers said that no external donors provided food rations to these recent IDPs. Only local villagers have shared their food with the IDPs. The Ho Kho village volunteer (source 2) said that the main need of the IDPs right now is food rations.
Local volunteers said that even though the fighting has now stopped, there is a strong likelihood of future clashes in the area between the Burma Army and the Mandalay PDF. Because of the likelihood of additional clashes, the IDPs are unable to return to their village right now.
