According to local aid organizations, approximately 5,000 internally displaced individuals who have recently arrived at camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) in the eastern part of Loikaw Township, Karenni (Kayah) State, are in critical need of immediate food and medical aid.

A member of the Kayah Liphu Youth aid organization highlighted that providing healthcare support is crucial for the newly arrived displaced refugees. “Newly arrived IDPs face many hardships, with a significant number of children and chronically ill patients among them. Some children are also sick, further exacerbating their need for medical attention. And they face various difficulties like accessing clinics”, he told Kantarawaddy Times.

The Kayah Liphu Youth member noted that a significant number of the newly arrived individuals in Loikaw fled from war-torn Hsihseng town in southern Shan State, and they require more assistance compared to the Karenni IDPs who arrived several months ago.

"Many of the newly arrived individuals had to flee their homes with only the clothes on their backs, and they require assistance in almost every sector. Women, in particular, require menstrual supplies. The need for aid is especially high for those who fled from Hsihseng”, he elaborated.

The eastern part of Loikaw has seen an increase in IDPs since the commencement of 'Operation 1111' in November 2023. The existing problem of food scarcity for over 125,000 IDPs has been compounded by the arrival of the newly displaced individuals.

The Kayah Liphu Youth has called on both local and foreign donors to contribute and donate, as the displacement period for IDPs is prolonged and the need for aid continues to grow