Residents of Nat Taung Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in the west of Demoso Township, in Kayah (Karenni) State are facing rice shortages and having to rely on nearby family members.
There has been no rice from donors and the IDPs have had to rely on borrowing rice from family members living nearby.
One of the affected IDPs, Daw Nyein, said: “Since the donors haven't arrived yet, I have to ask my brother for food. If I constantly ask him, he can’t provide me [with enough] because he doesn't have much to give me. Previously, he was also displaced and his family has only recently returned here. For the past year, they haven't had good rice either. If I always keep requesting rice from him, how can he give it to me?”
Daw Nyain said that the IDPs in the camp have asked nearby humanitarian organisations for assistance and sent them copies of a letter written by the camp’s IDP Committee confirming the shortage of rice in the camp.
She added that the IDPs primary need is rice as they have been able to obtain seasonal vegetables.
“We plant a few vegetables in our gardens. We have some plants like Pumpkin leaves and maize. Others bring and share with us so we can eat some vegetables”, she said.
Though donors occasionally visit the camp with supplies, they can only give each family two Pyi (3.6kg) of rice each, which can lead to difficulties, especially for larger households.
A Nat Taung IDP camp committee member said: "We are currently facing shortages of rice, cooking oil, salt, and medicine at the Nat Taung IDP camp. We have no budget for the camp. For example, we are unsure how to manage and support families that are completely out of rice. Additionally, we face challenges in arranging transportation for patients to hospitals and clinics. We have not yet found solutions for these issues, which are a significant challenge for us. We want to request assistance from any available donors. We invite you to come and support our displaced community.”
There are over 400 people in nearly 100 shelters at Nat Taung IDP Camp.
