Terror besieges Magway

Since the first month of the coup, we have been supporting a local team in Magway. Little did we know, or did they, that this central region would come to play such an outsize role in the resistance movement. Partly because of geography and topography, and partly because of a natural (and even historic) revolutionary fervor among its people, the residents around the Magway area have not been shy to register their displeasure at the military.

The retaliation has been as brutal as it has been swift. The Tatmadaw has been attacking neighboring villages for months, in some cases burning entire neighborhoods to the ground. Just last week, 3,000 people from Gangaw have abandoned their homes entirely and are now living in the open forest. These include peoples of all ages, and many are lacking basic food, medicine, and shelter. The residents largely come from Hnan Khar, Myin Thar and Htei Hlaw villages, which together have been attacked 13 times since February. Htei Hlaw has been especially harassed, with 27 homes burned down and nearly the entire population now on foot. Said one villager from here, as quoted in Myanmar Now!, “We have just decided to stay in the forest after our village got burned as we don’t dare to stay there anymore. There are a lot of difficulties, especially regarding food. Several of us cannot afford to buy food as we were previously working as day labourers for minimum wage.

We’re especially in need of rice and oil. We don’t have much to eat aside from mushrooms.”

Among the IDPs are 30 pregnant women and 60 children, as well as elderly and sick persons in need of medical attention. Those displaced are in need of shelter, cooking oil, rice, salt, clothing, and basic medicines, according to multiple sources. 

Local groups are trying as hard as they can to get donations, but as the need is now overwhelming their capacity, there is simply nothing left. Please consider making a contribution so that we can send funds urgently to our Magway contact person.