Addressing the Humanitarian Crisis and Escalating Conflict
The following message, which was sent from a local group which we are supporting, requests help in delivering essential food and provisions to those affected by the military coup, aiming to provide safety, dignity, and hope to the people hidden in the jungles, reaffirming that they are not alone in their struggle. We welcome any contribution which can further support this community during these hard times!
On February 1, 2021, Burma’s military overthrew the democratically elected civilian government via a coup d’etat and declared a state of emergency. The military transferred all executive, legislative, and judicial authorities to the State Administration Council (SAC), an authoritarian military-run administrative organization led by armed forces commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing resulting in mass protest across the country. The military then detained key elected civilian leaders and dissolved all national and subnational legislatures.1 Since the February coup, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) reported a total of 4,098 people, including pro-democracy activists and civilians have been killed by the junta and pro-military groups.
The Karen National Union (KNU) in particular, has paid a heavy price for being the first ethnic armed organization (EAO) to oppose the coup. The military have launched heavy air and ground offensives in KNU-controlled areas. These were the first airstrikes in KNU areas in 25 years. Due to the intensified armed conflict, civilians suffered higher casualties. According the Karen Peace Support Network Group, the number of villagers displaced in Kawthoolei has increased by over 185,000 since KPSN’s last update in August 20223. HRW reported that restrictions on humanitarian assistance imposed by the regime since the coup were creating a “nationwide humanitarian catastrophe.”
With your generous donation, we can ensure that these food and provisions reach our intended recipients by mid November. Your contribution will make a significant impact in uplifting the people who are hiding in the dense jungle. Your gift and present will assist and enable our mission to bring relief to the people and remind them that they are not alone in their struggle.
Your contribution to our mission "Overcoming Hunger: Safety and Dignity for All'' will save countless lives. Sufficeint daily food will not only help sustain life but also keep the recipients’ dignity and hope. When these daily essentials arrive to the people who truly need them, not only do we convey a message of solidarity and compassion, but also life which is santify. Together, we can make a difference in their lives and remind them that they are not forgotten.