War-displaced people seeking refuge in the Dawthponeyan refugee camp, due to the ongoing clashes along the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road in Kachin State, are facing challenges related to insufficient bathroom and toilet facilities. Additionally, there is a pressing need for menstrual supplies among the women in the camp, as reported by camp authorities.
War-displaced individuals have sought refuge in the Dawthponeyan Kachin Christian church's yard for over two months now.
"We have a problem with not enough bathrooms and toilets for war-displaced people. Even though we have separate facilities for men and women, they sometimes have to shower together due to the shortage. Additionally, women urgently require menstrual supplies”, a camp official told KIC.
Many families are forced to share a single building for accommodation due to the shortage of available spaces, leading to inconvenience in the daily lives of adult girls as well.
"The accommodation challenges are significant. Since we can't assign proper rooms, many families have to live together, which is tough for young adults. Unfortunately, constructing separate buildings isn't currently feasible”, the aforementioned person added.
Following the conflicts near the four villages of Khala, Nawngwant, Deinjan, and Deinjar around July, over 100 families who resided in those areas sought refuge in the Dawthponeyan camp.
Having sought shelter in the camp for over two months, the war-displaced individuals are facing a pressing need for food and medical supplies. They are currently unable to access aid from donors and are finding it challenging to work for their sustenance.
Among the individuals taking refuge in the camp, there are six elderly individuals who are deaf, and approximately 60 women require menstrual supplies.
In the Dawthponeyan region, skirmishes regularly erupt in the villages of Nwamlant, Myothit, and Auhtanyang whenever the Military Council troops advance from the Bhamo side. As a result, locals have been forced to flee their homes and are uncertain when they will be able to return. Many are concerned that this displacement may persist for years to come.
In July, the Military Council initiated an attack on Namsangyang village, situated close to the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) headquarters, using a substantial force via both river and land routes, resulting in continuous fighting along the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road for approximately three months.
