Clashes between the Myanmar military and a combined force of Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People’s Defence Force (PDF) have killed three local people, destroyed four homes and displaced hundreds in the region of Putao, Kachin State, within over a month, local sources say.  

Currently, the people from Hsutpiyan Village, 38 miles from Putao, and Loneshayan, Inhsinyan and Phatmar villages, around 20 miles from Putao, are taking refuge in the towns of Putao and Myitkyina.

“The situation is worsening mainly in Hsutpiyan. The villagers are hiding here and there in the jungles and mountains. They don’t have enough food. If they return to their villages, there is no security guarantee there. We are concerned about pregnant women, elders and young children. Illness is also common there. We cannot know if it is Covid-19 or not. Social organizations are collecting data. Only raincoats could have been provided. Those displaced in the jungles are helpless. There they cannot cook themselves because rising smoke will be an alarm for shooting. Over the past month, a couple have died. A driver was also shot dead as he sped his car at late night. Two shops and two home were burnt down causing about Ks100 million. As tension intensifies, there will be more fighting between the two sides,” said a local helping the IDPs.

Fighting has been intense since February 1, 2021 along the Myitkyina-Putao route. People from at least four villages are staying in Myitkyina and nearby jungles close to Putao. Putao Road was closed in the last week of February causing high prices in fuel and food.

Putao District has six townships with 91,257 people, according to the national census made in 2014. Due to difficulties with farming, transport and communications plus less development, Putao is the district with the highest mortality rate of infants in Myanmar.