Eastern Dawei IDPs face food shortages and numbers increase

June 8, 2023

HURFOM: Both local residents and internally displaced people living in Dawei’s east district are now facing food and water shortages due to strict control of rice and food stuffs by junta forces.

From the end of April until the beginning of June, more than 5,000 refugees from 12 villages have been trapped in Dawei East District, due to a junta council’s offensive and continuous targeting of the locals.

“Last May alone, more than 3,000 local residents fled from the fighting in Dawei District. All the roads leading into the area are being blocked and checked by the junta military, — it has been a long time since we have been able to transport rice and other food items, ” reported a family member of the trapped residents.

The junta is employing artillery weapons and airstrikes in the area.

“… we have to share what we have with each other. The nutritional needs of children and older people are increasing. Sickness rates are high among weak children. The most dangerous thing we are concerned about is dengue fever and malaria in this rainy season,” said the person in charge of an IDP support group, who did not want to be named.

The IDPs are formerly Yephyu Township residents, and were the first to be hit by airstrikes in Tenasserim Division. More than 3,000 residents of the villages from Kha Myaung Chaung, Wat Chaung, Ei Ka Ne, Pa Gor Soon, Mu Duu, Ba War, and Na Pu Lae were forced to evacuate.

Many residents were either killed or arrested. Others had to flee after homes were being burned down.

“… junta troops are cutting off the supply of rice and dry foods. Even anything that is iron-related that could be used to support the revolutionary groups, they check for anything they see related to food or weaponry,” said a young resident of Yephyu Township.

An East Dawei refugee support group Administrator said, “For the refugees, we are not yet in a position to help them return. I heard that artillery weapons are being installed in the places where the battalions are stationed. We have had a food shortage for a long time, and now more and more households are relying on fruits and vegetables grown in the forest. It is impossible to reach this area because of the junta military.They have cut everything down.“

According to the information obtained by a HURFOM ground field team, 358 people had to flee after the military coup in Dawei Township.

There are also about 5,000 permanent refugees and 5,000 temporary refugees in Long Lon Township. In Pu Law Township, there are more than 2,600 permanent refugees and more than 10,000 temporary refugees. In Tenasserim Township, there are about 5,000 villagers who fled from their homes, including permanent refugees.

Although the military situation is calm in Tha Yat Chaung Township, supplies of food, communication, and traffic are being tightened by the junta military.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News