Ground sources say the rising number of internally displaced people (IDPs) at camps in five territories controlled by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), has made adequate provisioning of shelter, medicine and food difficult. 

There are at least 120,000 displaced people in the areas controlled by KNLA Brigades 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6, including in the the districts of Thaton, Nyaunglebin, Myeik, Mutraw and Dooplaya, according to an aid worker. 

“The number of displaced people is on the rise. The IDPs are in need of food, clothing and shelter,” the relief worker added. 

With the onset of the rainy season, displacement camps in Kayin (Karen) State are especially in need of medicines to treat infectious diseases. 

“Now that it is the rainy season, medicine is needed to treat the displaced people infected with seasonal flu, malaria, dengue fever and diarrhoea,” said a health worker helping the IDPs. 

Another aid worker said that the weather conditions made it difficult for humanitarian personnel like himself to travel to the displacement camps to provide assistance to the IDPs. 

“We can’t go to some places such as Kyainseikgyi Township in Kayin State, and Dawei Township in Tanintharyi Region, due to heavy rains. The displaced people live separately so it is very difficult to go and donate relief items to the IDPs in remote areas,” he added. 

The Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) says heavy fighting continues in five areas controlled by the KNU, and that affected IDPs are facing health and weather-related challenges.