Although monasteries in southern Shan State had initially welcoming Karenni war-displaced individuals, some monasteries are now facing mounting challenges and hardships, making it increasingly difficult for them to continue providing shelter to the refugees, a religious source told Kantarawaddy Times.
An official from a monastery in Nyaungshwe Township clarified that while his monastery had accepted the refuge of war-displaced individuals for six months, the soaring costs of accommodation and food have rendered it unsustainable to continue offering assistance to them
Now some monasteries have set a one-month deadline and notified the war-displaced individuals to return home because they cannot afford to continue providing them shelter
"We want to keep assisting the war refugees if we can, but the costs have become too high for us to manage, forcing us to make this tough decision”, he explained.
As conflicts intensified in Loikaw Township, Karenni State, numerous locals sought refuge in monasteries located in Nyaungshwe Township, southern Shan State, as well as in the homes of relatives residing in Taunggyi, Ayetharyar, Kalaw, and Aungban townships.
A woman who sought refuge in a monastery in southern Shan State disclosed that she was considering the risk of returning to her home, because she could not afford to move to a new location.
"If I cannot stay in this monastery anymore, I will go back to Loikaw. Rents here are too expensive, and almost all places are already taken, so there is nowhere to rent. Going back to Loikaw seems like my only option now”, she said.
In April staff from civil departments aligned with the Junta urged war-displaced individuals to return to Loikaw and resettle.
"The monastery that gave us shelter told us it cannot help anymore. It was generous to let us stay for 6 months. Now we are searching for a house to rent. If that does not work, we will have to think about other options”, a war-displaced individual currently taking refuge in Taunggyi told Kantarawaddy Times.
As of now fighting is on-going around Loikaw. In certain downtown neighborhoods where the situation is calm, the Junta has started restoring electricity and has recalled some civil department employees to return to work.
