Over 200,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Brigade (3) of the Karen National Union (KNU) controlled area in the Bago Region, Kler Lwee Htoo District (Nyaunglebin District) are in need of aid, according to the Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN).

According to the latest report 8 September, conflict is unfolding in the Kyaukkyi, Mone, and Shwegyin townships of the KNU Brigade (3) controlled area, involving the joint forces of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO) against the troops of the Military Council.

As the conflict escalated, the Military Council resorted to targeting civilians through airstrikes and artillery shelling, resulting in the displacement of over 200,000 residents.

“There are more than 200,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Kler Lwee Htoo District (Nyaunglebin District). The primary cause of their displacement is the ongoing battles, particularly due to airstrikes and artillery shelling targeting the villages,” said Saw Lay K’Por, a spokesperson of the KPSN.

Local sources indicate that the number of displaced individuals has continued to rise instead of diminishing, worsening the challenges they face in securing food and shelter. With ongoing battles disrupting their businesses, these individuals are struggling to meet their basic needs.

“The current battle situation is worsening, resulting in a growing number of displaced individuals. As the intensity of the battles increases, the availability of food rations becomes inadequate. With these IDPs having abandoned everything and their livelihoods destroyed, they are likely to face ongoing challenges with food and shelter if they do not receive assistance,” said Saw Lay K’Por.

In addition, Saw Lay K'Por mentioned that while IDPs do receive some assistance from local people, their primary reliance is on aid coming from the border as well as aid coming from major cities. These supplies are being disrupted by the actions of the junta troops.

The lack of medicines and inadequate number of doctors poses the most difficult obstacle for the displaced population.

Currently, there is an urgent need for support in providing food rations and healthcare assistance.

Saw Ta Mla Thaw, the First-class Brigadier General of the KNLA, has reported that over 600,000 people have been displaced in the KNU's seven territories as a result of military conflicts and targeted attacks on civilians by the military regime. These displaced individuals are now in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.