More than 8,000 refugees displaced by the fighting between ethnic armed organizations in Namtu Township in Northern Shan State need food aid according to the IDP organizations.

Lone Sai Ba Nyan who is helping the IDPs said: “The IDPs who fled their villages in Namtu Township in recent four or five days, are in urgent need of food. The IDP camps in the village need more food. The IDP camps in urban areas still have some rations.”

Since the first week of February, the fighting between a Northern Alliance Group and the Restoration Council of Shan State and the Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) started in Namtu Township.

Due to the continued fighting, the IDPs are unable to go home, reported a member of the IDP committee.

 

“IDPs are in urgent need of rice, edible oil and salt. It is very difficult to provide assistance during this time. The only communication is by phone. There are no donors. Villagers have to make a donation,” explained a volunteer helping the IDPs. Most of the war victims are women, the elderly and children.

 

On March 28th, five houses were burned to the ground by heavy shelling caused by fighting between the EAOs near Panlone village in Namtu Township in Shan State.

During this year, at least five civilians died due to fighting between ethnic armed organizations.