Displaced people fleeing from battles in Moe Bye Township in Karenni State pleaded for help after facing intense food shortages.

Clashes between Karenna National Defence Force (KNDF) and Myanmar military broke out on September 8 and situations are still tense in the region.

“Our houses were quite damaged. Some of us were forced to flee unprepared. They were working in the farms when battles broke out and they had no choice but to run. Armed clashes continued for 4 consecutive days. The situation became more difficult and they were forced to take refuge in nearby villages” a displaced villager said.

Military launched air raids and attacked with artillery in the Mo Bye battle. Such attacks destroyed more than residences in Mo Bye township. Local people were forced to flee to Loikaw and nearby towns and they are facing problems such as shortage of food and shelter, said Ko Banyar from Karenni Human Right Organization.

“Currently, we heard 6 people were injured. All are civilians. A 7-year old boy died. We estimated the number of displaced people to be around 5000. But the tensions in Moe Bye are still ascending so perhaps the number could rise to ten of thousands. We heard some rumours about the war but can’t confirm anything yet”, he said.

Due to the intense fighting in Moe Bye, locals abandoned their farms and ran for their lives. A woman who fled to Loikaw said she was unable to return home as clashes continued for days.

“We hope Altruists and related organizations will come and provide food and other supplies to those who are in need. Some organizations are helping the displaced people but not in the position where we can access. Apparently, it may be very challenging to help the whole population fleeing from war. That’s why I want to beg everyone to donate food for the displaced people”, she said.

Due to the fighting in Karenni State after the coup, 200000 people had fled from the conflicts and over 300 civilians were killed in armed clashes according to Karenni State Human Right Organization.