Around 2,000 people have been displaced by the recent fighting in Moemauk Township Bhamo District in Kachin State, according to the office in-charge of a Christian association.

"The number of people who have fled from their villages has increased on a daily basis. The total number of IDPs exceeded 700 yesterday. Our association is helping some IDPs, while other refugees are receiving assistance from various CSOs. We are holding meetings to plan for the long term. According to the current situation the number of IDPs are expected to increase,” said an officer-in-charge of Moemauk KBC.

“As the fighting intensified since April 15, the people from Myotthit, Sihut, Konelaw, Moehut, Mongkhat, Mingyan, Naungkwan, Shwemyaung, Nanngo, Myohaung, Tarli and Dawphoneyan villages, have been forced to flee” he continued.

 

Currently, more than 700 IDPS are taking shelter at the Karen Baptist Church, more than 400 at Bhamo Taguntaing , and more than 500 at Catholic Church Nanlai village, a few households at the philanthropic monastery in Mingone ward in Bhamo and around 200 at Theinddawgyi monastery, according to locals.

A local from Myothit said: “All people in my village have fled as the shootings take place day and night."

The IDPs are in need of basic foods. At least five locals and a monk have been killed, and around five others wounded by the fighting with a number of houses destroyed by heavy shelling.

Cows and buffalos were killed by the landmines planted by the army. Locals are forced to pay compensation to the army for mine explosions.