Fierce fighting between Chin resistance and regime troops has forced thousands to flee their villages and seek refuge in Hakha Township in northern Chin State, where they are desperately in need of humanitarian assistance.
“Currently, there are 2,171 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Hakha town. I think more than 9,000 IDPs are living in camps in the remote villages of Hakha Township,” Kay Pyar, a volunteer helping them, told Khonumthung News. The volunteer explained that the Burma army is sending troops into remote areas in search of resistance forces and civilians are fleeing, with some people hiding in the jungle.
Villagers have been escaping the violence on the road from Kalay to Hakha and from Hakha to Gangaw for over a month. Residents from Chun Cung, Ramthalo, Dot Htet and Tlangzer have gone to Hakha town. Some are staying in churches, others with their relatives.
Another volunteer, who requested anonymity, said that the IDPs are struggling to survive after leaving their villages. “They thought they would seek shelter in the town of Hakha for three days, but three weeks have passed. The roads are blocked by the clashes and the food supply has deteriorated.”
With no trucks to deliver goods, the price of consumable commodities in the town has risen drastically. However, volunteer teams are doing their best to help them in this time of crisis.