2,000 in need of medical care
Kachin civilians fleeing clashes are trapped in jungle without supplies
BANGKOK: Leaders from the Christian ethnic Kachin community have called for urgent medical attention for about 2,000 civilians, including pregnant women and the elderly, trapped in the jungle where they fled to escape clashes between Myanmar’s army and the Kachin guerrillas in the country’s north.
The latest fighting in Kachin state’s Tanai region – an area known for amber and gold mining – began in early April with government shelling and airstrikes in response to threats by the rebel Kachin Independence Army to retake lost territory.
Rev Mung Dan, a Baptist community leader, said on Wednesday the civilians trapped without medicine or sufficient food include five pregnant women, two women who just gave birth, 93 old people and other villagers wounded by mortar shelling.
“They are in dire need of medical treatment as well as rations,” he said by phone.
“Even today, it’s been raining the whole day in our region and these civilians do not have any shelter and they are suffering from sickness as well.”
A non-governmental organisation based in Kachin state has sent an open letter to the Kachin State Minister, asking for permission to rescue civilians but the permission has not been granted yet.
“We have been asking permission to rescue people who are trapped in the jungle and they are in a very critical condition,” said Awng Ja, a member of the Kachin State Women Network, which helps displaced women.
“But the state minister said only if the military granted us access, we can rescue these civilians.”
Rights and aid groups said the Myanmar government and the mili- tary have dramatically increased restrictions on humanitarian assistance to some 100,000 displaced people.
The government has virtually denied all access for the United Nations and other international humanitarian groups.
The Kachin Independence Army, like other ethnic minority armed groups, has been fighting on and off for decades against the central government for greater autonomy.
Combat between the Kachin rebels and the government military resumed in 2011, ending a 17-year ceasefire agreement.
The clashes have left hundreds dead and more than 100,000 civilians displaced. — AP