Fighting between two Shan ethnic armed groups in Kyaukme Township, northern Shan State and Mongkaing and Laicha townships, southern Shan State, has forced nearly 10,000 people to flee their homes and they are in need of help, sources said.
There are now 29 refugee camps in Kyaukme Township, northern Shan State with more than 6,000 refugees, according to the Shan State Sangha and People's Peace Cooperation Committee.
“There are now 29 camps in Kyaukme and more than 6,000 refugees. There are about six camps in Laicha Township in southern Shan State with a population of over 500. There are Kunhing and Kyaingtaung refugee camps: 224 people from 73 families in Kunhing and 165 people from 60 households in Kyaingtaung.. Some of them are come to Namsan. We donated mostly to Kyaukme and Laicha,” said Nang Wa Nu of the Shan State Sangha and People's Peace Cooperation Committee.
There are seven refugee camps in Laicha Township, Loilen District in southern Shan State with a population of over 800. They are taking shelter at Wan Htee Village, Salai Khon Village, Salai Khon Monastery, Wan Mai Thin Li, Wanbon and Wan Mai Laicha in Laicha Township.
A total of 224 people from 73 families are taking shelter in Kengkham Village Tract, Kunhing Township and 165 people from 60 households in Namhuko, Kyaingtaung Township.
“Refugees from Mongkaing and Kyaukme are now living in Wan Mai Thin Li, Salai Khon Village, Salai Khon Monastery, Wan Htee, Nantlay, Tatmauk and Wan Pan. Villages are Kham Phet Kone, Mong Na Pone, Loi Taung Phetei, Konele, Metwong, Naungshaung, Phat Phet, Chi Kap, Ton Yone, Wan San, Mat Na, Wan Eit, Nant Hulian, Loi Taung, Wan Maw, Na Kon, Mai Hone Cho, Naung Yone, Kone Pat and Kone Kan. There are about one thousand people and 276 houses. At Wan Mai Thin Li, we have reached the stage where we can teach children. Most of them are built as new village in Wan Mai Thin Li. That is to say, there is a great need for them to leave their homes and move to a new place. The main requirement is basic food. If benefactors and donors want to donate, it would be convenient to do so. They need food, clothing, and blankets. We have donated three or four times. We would like to appeal to all donors to be included,” said a volunteer who went to Laicha to help.
More than 650 villagers are fleeing the fighting on December 10 in Ham Ngaing Village Tract, Mongkaing Township, southern Shan State. On December 9, another clash took place in Kyethi Township.
Villagers from Far Lang, Nar Mon, Kone Kham, Pain Naung, Wun Pike, Kon Lai, Wai Maing, Nar Kan and Na Fauk Kone villages in Ham Ngaing Village Tract, Mongkaing Township are fleeing to Laicha Township and some have even reached Nansang.
The Shan State Sangha and People's Peace Cooperation Committee sent an open letter to the armed forces in the state to reach a ceasefire agreement and to find a negotiated solution. The PMC leader, General Baung Khay, said in a statement on December 12 that the RCSS/SSA has been working with the Shan State Sangha and People's Peace Cooperation Committee (PSB) to address the ongoing conflict in Shan State and do its best to follow the wishes of the monks and people.
