As fresh fights break out near Einai village in northern Shan State, people from Einai and other surrounding villages are leaving to take shelter at the Thirimingalar Mansu Shan monastery in Lashio on October 29th evening

Commodities such as blankets, food and clothes are needed for the refugees. The battles are between Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) and allied forces of Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Shan State Progressive Party(SSPP/SSA). The fighting started near Einai village situated along Lashio-Namtu motor road on October 26th.

“Currently, we need blankets, food and clothes for the refugees. Some even fled their homes in such a hurry with no spare clothes for them. At present, we have some food to provide for them but we need blankets and clothes,” said Sayadaw of Thirimingalar Mansu Shan monastery.

Among the IDPs are newborn babies and elderly people. Lashio Township Health Department is providing health assistance to the IDPs. Majority of IDPs are from Einai village, Shan nationals from surrounding villages and Lesu nationals.

“Previously, we were living in Tarlat village in Namtsan Township, Palaung self administrative region. It’s been over 5 years that we are living in Eanai village. As there were clashes often broke out in Namtsan, the entire village moved to Eanai village which was further away from the battles. We had tea plantations owned by our ancestors in Namtsan. We had to abandon these tea plantations. Despite us abandoning our properties and moving to Eanai village, more fighting have broke out, which forced us to move to here,” said a Lesu national fleeing her home.

On October 30th, there are 924 people from 230 households from Eanai Village sheltering at Thirimingalar Mansu Shan monastery in Lashio while Buta monastery in Lashio’s Mansan Yay Kya village is taking care of nearly 200 IDPs from Kaungwai and Mankyaung villages.