Weekly Briefing Note Southeastern Myanmar 5-11 June 2021 (Limited Distribution) This weekly briefing note, covering humanitarian developments in Southeastern Myanmar from 5 June to 11 June, is produced by the Kayin Inter-Agency Coordination of the Southeastern Myanmar Working Group. Highlights • The import of soap, detergent and toothpaste from Thailand through the Myawaddy border was suspended on 4 June, according to a letter of notification from the Trades Department.1 • In Kayin State, clashes between the Tatmadaw and Karen National Union (KNU) was observed in Kyainseikgyi, Hpapun and Myawaddy townships and Thandaung town during the week. • A letter ordering the suspension of activities and temporary closure of offices of INGOs in Tanintharyi Region was issued by the Department of Social Welfare on 2 June. The closure of INGOs offices is likely to impact access to services and assistance by vulnerable people in the region. • The Karen National Liberation Army's (KNLA) Chief, General Saw Johny released a statement on 9 June, indicating that the KNLA and its members will follow political leadership of the Karen National Union (KNU). According to the statement signed by Gen. Saw Johny, the KNLA will follow the announcement that was released by the KNU's chairman Saw Mutu Say Poe on 10 May and will follow the framework of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) signed by the KNU. The statement also stated that KNLA members must comply with the military rules of the KNLA.2 • The security situation continues to deteriorate in Kayah State. Over 100,000 remain displaced as clashes and military reinforcements brought in by the Tatmadaw continued throughout the week. • Apart from urgent needs for shelter, food and non-food items, security, adequate access to services, psycho-social support and support to persons with specific needs, including the elderly, women-headed households, persons with disabilities and separated children, are among the most pressing needs of IDPs. Humanitarian Situation The security situation continues to be tense in southeastern Myanmar with indiscriminate mortar shelling, deployment of armed forces and explosions in various locations. Intensified clashes were particularly observed in Kayah and Kayin States and eastern Bago Region during the week. In Kayin State, clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Karen National Union (KNU) was observed in Kyainseikgyi,3 4 Hpapun5 and Myawaddy6 townships and Thandaung town7 during the week. Deployment of military troops to Thandaunggyi Township, which borders Kayah, Shan and Kayin states was observed 1 https://www.facebook.com/KICNewsPage/posts/1698378030347011 2 https://www.facebook.com/422055381238801/posts/3825343487576623/ 3 https://www.facebook.com/KICNewsPage/posts/1697108030474011 4 https://www.facebook.com/KICNewsPage/posts/1697961990388615 5 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3810790855698553&id=422055381238801 6 https://www.facebook.com/102921177864051/posts/334014508088049/ 7http://kicnews.org/2021/06/%e1%80%9e%e1%80%b6%e1%80%b1%e1%80%90%e1%80%ac%e1%80%84%e1%80 %b9%e1%82%80%e1%80%80%e1%80%ae%e1%80%b8-%e1%81%81%e1%81%83- 1 on 7 June.8 It is anticipated that troops might be deployed into Kayah State from Kayin State. 9 At least seven explosions were reported from Hpa-An town in the morning of 11 June.10 In Mon State, an isolation unit was prepared for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in Mawlamyine town due to the increased number of COVID-19 positive cases, most of which are returnees from abroad.11 Some weapons, such as hand grenades, were identified in schools in Mon State, raising concerns among parents.12 According to reports, communities are implementing additional security measures at schools, especially in rural areas.13 The Government Administration Department in Tanintharyi Region issued a letter on 2 June instructing INGOs that has not completed registration to close down their offices temporarily. According to the organizations based in Dawei Township, they were requested to sign the acknowledgement letter on 5 June.14 Subsequently, many organizations had to suspend their activities and close their offices. Médecins Sans Frontières issued a statement indicating that the closure will affect more than 2,000 HIV and TB patients receiving treatment in the organization’s Myittar Yeik clinic in Dawei Township. Due to increased cases of COVID-19 in the region, the Regional COVID-19 Disease Control and Emergency Response Committee released a series of measures on 8 June that included temperature checks at entry points into Tanintharyi Region and COVID-19 tests for those who want to leave Tanintharyi region 48 hours before.15 Arrests continued in different townships across the region throughout the week, including in Myeik and Yebyu Townships. 16 In Kayah State, fighting between the Kayah People’s Defense Forces (KPDF) and Tatmadaw intensified in Demoso Township and nearby Moe Bye Township in neighbouring Shan State between 4 and 7 June. San Pya Chaut Mine and Demoso towns were the main locations of armed clashes. On 4 June, the Kayah State Administrative Council (SAC) issued a letter addressing the District Administration Department of Loikaw and Township Administration Offices of Loikaw, Demoso and Hpruso to alert the residents of Loikaw and Moe Bye to evacuate to safer locations. On 6 June, the Tatmadaw took over San Pya Chaut Mine and occupied a church building. Since 24 May, church buildings are being occupied or damaged by shelling. Since the letter by the Kayah SAC, an increase in military deployment by the Tatmadaw in the region was observed. On 7 June, the Tatmadaw deployed some 600 troops towards Demoso Township and approximately 400 Tatmadaw troops entered into western Demoso on 9 June. Clashes and skirmishes continued to be reported from Loikaw, Demoso and Hpruso townships between 8 and 10 June. While one civilian was killed in Loikaw, another was injured and some houses were reportedly damaged as a result of artillery shelling. It is estimated that armed conflict will intensify in Demoso and Loikaw, and more road blockages, including checkpoints by the Tatmadaw will be introduced in the coming days, making access to these locations more difficult. 8http://kicnews.org/2021/06/%e1%80%9a%e1%80%ac%e1%80%92%e1%80%ad%e1%80%af%e1%80%b1%e1%80 %80%e1%80%ba%e1%80%b8%e1%82%90%e1%80%bc%e1%80%ac%e1%80%90%e1%80%bc%e1%80%84%e1%80 %b9- 9http://kicnews.org/2021/06/%e1%80%9a%e1%80%ac%e1%80%92%e1%80%ad%e1%80%af%e1%80%b1%e1%80 %80%e1%80%ba%e1%80%b8%e1%82%90%e1%80%bc%e1%80%ac%e1%80%90%e1%80%bc%e1%80%84%e1%80 %b9- 10 https://www.facebook.com/KICNewsPage/posts/1702131609971653 11 http://burmese.dvb.no/archives/468901 12 http://www.daweiwatch.com/2021/06/03/political/33606/ 13 http://www.daweiwatch.com/2021/06/03/political/33606/ 14 http://burmese.dvb.no/archives/468338 15 http://www.daweiwatch.com/2021/06/09/covid-19/33811/ 16 https://www.facebook.com/139053342889519/posts/3761541063974044/ 2 UNHCR estimates that as of 7 June 2021, approximately 151,800 people were displaced in southeastern Myanmar. Of these, 47,800 are displaced in Kayin State, an estimated 100,000 in Kayah State, 2,900 in eastern Bago Region and 1,100 in Mon State. IDPs in the region have dire humanitarian needs. IDPs in Kayah State are dispersed across a large geographical area, living in precarious conditions with limited access to food, healthcare, and shelter materials. Many have sought refuge in rural areas, nearby villages and forests without adequate shelter and potable water. Humanitarian partners, in cooperation with the Kayah Humanitarian Response Team, completed a preliminary rapid needs assessment on 4 June. According to the preliminary findings of the rapid needs assessment, the overarching humanitarian concern is the lack of protection for IDPs in Kayah state, as well as an urgent need for shelter and non-food items. The assessment identified main issues of immediate concern which are insecurity, inadequate access to services and need for psycho-social care, and lack of support to the vulnerable with specific needs, including the elderly, women-headed households, persons with disability and separated children. The assessment has confirmed high prevalence of mental trauma caused by widespread violence and displacement. Hundred villagers who temporarily fled to Thailand from Myawaddy Township of Kayin State on 2 June and returned to Myanmar are reportedly unable to return to their homes. According to reports, Tatmadaw troops are present in their villages and some have occupied the houses of villagers. Displaced villagers continue to remain sheltered at schools and houses in Htee Mae Wah Khee village.17 Reponses As needs grow, local responders’ capacities are increasingly stretched and require additional financial support to reach the most vulnerable among displaced communities. UN agencies and NGOs are mobilizing funds and humanitarian support to address these urgent and life-saving needs. Despite challenges, efforts are underway to deliver humanitarian support to those in need. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) provided emergency kits (including clothes, buckets, blankets, soap, sanitary pads, mosquito nets, masks, toothpaste and toothbrushes) to 100 households at a new IDP site in Kayah State. NRC also provided 100 tarpaulins to two newly displaced communities in Kayah. In addition, a total of 655 shelter and emergency kits will be distributed in eastern Bago Region. NRC conducted several needs assessments on shelter, education, livelihoods and food security in various locations in the southeast of Myanmar including in Mon State, Kayin State and Tanintharyi Region. NRC’s education team continued its coaching, monitoring and follow up of vocational training graduate youth in Kayin State and Tanintharyi Region.