Wells are dry and drinking water is in short supply for Internally Displaced People (IDP) in the southern Kalay Township of Sagaing Region, according to local humanitarian volunteers.
Many IDPs are now suffering from diarrhea and other ailments.
“These IDPs need humanitarian aid, with the priority being clean water. There are many IDPs in the camp, the groundwater wells are now drought because it is summer time. There is not enough water for all the IDPs. Many IDPs are suffering from diarrhea. Children and elderly people are also suffering from sore throats, coughing and sneezing,” a male volunteer helping IDPs in southern Kalay Township told Khonumthung News.
In early March, nearly 3,000 people were displaced by armed clashes between the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) and the Burma army near Hto Mer and Thaya Kon villages in southern Kalay Township.
Humanitarian volunteers said that the nearly 3,000 IDPs who have taken shelter in religious buildings and schools in southern Kalay Township had to flee their homes in Hto Mer, Thaya Kon, Kyar Inn, Tawn Chaung, Aung Thaya, Kyan Tha and Shahpo villages.
Armed clashes continue in the area and people continue to be displaced by the fighting.
The Burma army has continuously attacked Hto Mer, Thaya Kon, Htauk Kyant, Myaung Sone, Sacant, Sesan, Thon Einsu, and Lay Einsu villages with artillery.
Many houses in these villagers were damaged by the Burma army’s shelling.
On 9 March, nearly 20 houses in Hto Mer village were burnt down when the Burma army attacked using a Mi-35 combat helicopter.
There have been reports of some civilian causalities in southern Kalay Township, but Khonumthung News was not able to independently verify this by publication time.
Since February, combined forces of PDF troops have had multiple clashes with the Burma army in Kalay Township of Sagaing Region. Military tensions remain high in the area.