According to a statement issued late on Friday, the UN estimates there are 1,200 IDP living in Nam Lim Pa with an additional 500 children taking refuge in a church in Mung Din Pa. Many of the children in danger previously lived at a boarding school in the area.

“I am seriously concerned about the civilians being caught in any cross-fire, especially children and the elderly,” said Ashok Nigam, UN Resident and Humanitarian coordinator for Burma. Nigam is the highest ranking UN official permanently stationed in Burma.

In the statement Nigam “strongly urges all parties to respect civilian’s fundamental right to freedom of movement and allow safe passage to their areas of choice.”

The last time UN agencies were able to do a cross-line relief convoy to Mansi was in July 2012.  A follow up mission set for September was canceled due to “renewed fighting”. Because of ongoing clashes “Local partners are currently unable to reach these locations, and the displaced have only food for a few days”, said the press release, citing local sources.

UN queried about trapped IDPs   

Last week in New York the UN declined responding directly  to questions posed by Inner City Press reporter Matthew Russell Lee about the fate of civilians trapped in a village in Kachin state's Putao's district.

During the daily press briefing at the UN headquarters Russell Lee asked what Nambiar and his UN colleagues were doing in response to a request from the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) that Nambiar facilitate the departure of 53 civilians from Nhka Ga village.

Since mid-September residents of Nhka Ga the military hasn’t allowed them to leave their village, causing great concern for KBC that is involved in humanitarian relief for the Kachin refugees. It widely believed that the military are keeping them locked in as a deterrent for Kachin rebel forces that could launch a counter attack.

The UN responded to Russell Lee's question that during Nambiar’s visit to Kachin state he met with a number of civil society groups including the KBC.

“He heard directly of the grievances between the parties and the effect of the standoff between the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and the military on the civilian population in the area. The Special Adviser has been in touch with the authorities, as well as with the KIO, in regard to the causes underlying this tension. He strongly advised restraint by all concerned and against any action that was liable to provoke further tension as well as for the protection of the safety and security of the civilian population in the area.”    

Despite repeat requests that they be allowed to leave the villagers remain trapped in Nhka Ga village, said KBC officials.

Last week during another press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, Russell Lee asked again about the Nhka Ga villagers. This time the question was directed at UN special rapporteur for human rights in Burma Tomas Quintana whose response suggested that at present  there exists little legal recourse for those caught up in such situations in Burma.