The Burmese Army's infamous four cuts military operations have resulted in more and more people being displaced from their home and hearth. The internally displaced people (IDPs) are struggling to survive, said the Karenni Environmental group (Evergreen).

The Evergreen group has been creating awareness through education programmes about the environment among Karenni IDPs, who have been suffering from the junta's four cuts military operation. The group is documenting the harsh and pathetic reality of the suffering IDPs. IDPs will be the target if the Burmese Army finds them, Evergreen feels. This is because the Burmese Army suspects that the IDPs are linked with the KNPP and passing on information to the rebel group, said Khu Nyay Reh, an official in-charge of Evergeen.

"The Burmese Army decides that IDP areas are Free Fire Zones. Therefore, it's a shooting area. If they find IDPs, they can shoot to kill. The order to shoot comes from above," said Khu Nyay Reh.

Currently IDPs in Karenni state are facing myriad difficulties such as struggling for daily survival, insecurity of life, lack of medicines and health care and education for their children.

The Burmese Army's four cuts operation is a method where it attacks local people who support the KNPP, said Khu Oo Reh, an assistant secretary of KNPP.

"Initially, the Burmese Army's four cuts operation was designed to merge villages and force IDPs to leave their homes. Some of them moved to town and some of them hid in the jungles while some fled to the border," he said.

The villagers were displaced because the Burmese Army burnt down villages, tortured local people and forced then to flee from their homes making them IDPs, he continued.

According to the latest report of an aid group which helps refugees in Thai-Burma border, there are 53,300 IDPs in Karenni State.

Over 9,300 IDPs have been living and hiding in villages in Shar Daw, Pharu Hso and Phar Saung townships. About 5,000 IDPs have relocated to villages in Loi Kaw, Shar Daw, and Baw Lakhe townships.

Besides, 39,000 IDPs have been living in ceasefire regions in Loi Kaw, Demaw Hso, Pharu Hso, Phar Saung, Baw Lakhe and Mae Sae townships.