The Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLO) and donors have collaborated to distribute essential food supplies to Karenni war-displaced people seeking refuge in the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone in southern Shan State.

Approximately 12,000 war-displaced individuals, seeking refuge from the fighting, are scattered across 26 locations within Pa-O territory.

Captain Khun Ti Lar, deputy head of PNLO's information office, informed Kantarawaddy Times that PNLO is actively coordinating with relevant departments and exerting efforts to offer assistance to tens of thousands of war-displaced individuals to the best of their ability.

"We are committed to addressing the immediate and practical needs of displaced people. When aid workers alert us about depleting food supplies, we step in and deliver the necessary provisions. Our approach is not based on a fixed routine; but rather a dynamic response. For example, upon learning that aid organizations have only three days' worth of food remaining, we promptly replenish their stock”, he explained.

Nevertheless, he acknowledges that due to the limited number of donors, PNLO can currently offer assistance to only 400 people at a time.  "Given the vast number of war-displaced people, distributing to everyone is not feasible, but it alleviates the burden on us to some extent”, a war-displaced woman said.

Khun Ti Lar noted that war-displaced people have varying needs based on their current shelter locations, while PNLO primarily focuses on distributing basic food items like rice, oil, and salt.

He emphasized that the requirements for war-displaced people extends beyond food, encompassing essentials like drinking water and consumer goods, urging more donors to contribute.