The United Nations in Myanmar is deeply concerned about the rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Karenni State and other areas in southeastern Myanmar.

Recent violence in  Karenni State, including indiscriminate attacks by security forces against civilian areas, has led to the internal displacement of an estimated 100,000 men, women and children.

Many of them are currently seeking safety in host communities and forests across Karenni and southern parts of the neighboring Shan state. This crisis could push people across international borders seeking safety, as already seen in other parts of the country.

The United Nations reiterates its earlier calls for all parties to urgently take the necessary measures and precautions to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, especially medical units and personnel, and adhere to the fundamental principles of distinction, necessity, proportionality and protection.

People fleeing and those remaining in locations affected by ongoing hostilities are in urgent need of food, water, shelter, fuel and access to healthcare.

The United Nations and its partners have humanitarian supplies, including food, shelter materials and other basic relief items ready to be deployed.

We are ready to complement the local response, which has been immediate, but insufficient to address all needs, particularly for those persons in remote locations. Ongoing insecurity, travel restrictions imposed by security forces, and poor road conditions, however, are delaying the delivery of these supplies.

The United Nations calls on the security forces to allow the safe passage of humanitarian supplies and personnel and to facilitate the direct provision of relief assistance by the UN and its partners to all those in need in Karenni, as well as other states and regions across the country where there are urgent humanitarian needs.