Humanitarian aid for displaced persons in Karen State
We received the following request from a group that is assisting on humanitarian missions in Karen state. Please take a look at their detailed report and proposal, and if you would like to contribute to their mission, kindly earmark their proposal when making a donation. Thank you for your support at this time.
Target Population:
3 groups of displaced persons from Lay Kay Kaw, Karen State
Adult male: 1800
Adult female: 2700
Child (Male): 650
Child (Female): 500
Background:
On December 15th 2021, SAC military forces entered Lay Kay Kaw Township (KNU Brigade 6). It was reported that the military first engaged a combined group of People’s Defense Forces (PDF) and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), firing artillery at locations in Lay Kay Kaw’s No. 6 Ward, Rathe Gu village and Lay Kay Kaw Waterfall. The fighting began after SAC troops entered the area at least six times on Dec. 14, capturing more than 30 political activists, including a member of Parliament for the National League for Democracy Party. The clashes have continued through the week, forcing nearly all Lay Kay Kaw’s residents to leave the area. Approximately 10,000 civilians are currently displaced and are seeking refuge along the Myanmar-Thailand border. As of Dec 20th, the number of refugees who have fled to Thailand to escape the fighting in Lay Kay Kaw is around 6,000, and about 3,200 remain on the Myanmar side of the border. Thailand has accepted up to 6,000 refugees as of current state. Heaving shelling and artillery has been reported in close proximity to the displaced populations, some has been reported to have landed on Thai soil. The Thai authorities have responded with their military personnels to take position at the border and has warned the Myanmar military that immediate response will be taken if the bombings continue to cross over to Thai soil. The fighting between SAC and KNLA and PDF is expected to continue as the military is sending reinforcements to Myawaddy township and KNU has officially given the shoot-at-sight if military troops invade KNU territory.
Objectives:
Due to the imminent and urgent situation, the ground persons have reported that cooked and prepared meal boxes will be most suitable for the current situation. Supplies are not optimal to provide at the time being. Therefore, meals will be cooked and prepared in boxes by local actors on the Thai side to be distributed to the displaced populations. We were also notified about the need for hygiene kits, these will be procured on the Thai side to be distributed as well. Hygiene kits will consist of sanitary pads, toothpaste, soap bar, and towel.
