NAUNGPAIN- The fighting between the military [Tatmadaw] and Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) near Kyaukme Township, northern Shan State, has displaced about 3,000 villagers and heavy weapons have destroyed some houses.

“A woman was wounded with a heavy weapon fire, which also destroyed some houses. At first we only hear gunfire. Now, we are hearing heavy shelling. No one dared to look outside. All villagers were frozen with fear at their houses,” said a local from Kyaukme Township.

The fighting between military and RCSS took place near Kyukme Township since the beginning of October 3rd. Until October 9th, there were nearly 3,000 displaced persons. 

“Medical needs are needed for the displaced persons. The displaced villagers crowd the monastery. If a person is infected with the coronavirus, it is worrying. We, NGO and INGOs, have to go to the conflict regions to provide the cash and kinds for displaced persons. We donated Ks 3.6 million, facemasks and hand gel so also soaps,” said Sai Han from Shan Youths Team (Lashio).

“As the troops came into the villages near Kyaukme Township on October 11th, the villagers fled to a safer place in Hekwe village. Now, there are over 400 displaced persons in Hekwe village. We need the consumer goods for them. And then, we need hand gel, soaps and female personnel used items,” said Nay Aung from the Social Welfare Association from Naungpain village.

There are currently about 3,000 displaced persons sheltering at six villages until the evening of October 9th.