Weekly Briefing Note Southeastern 15 - 21 May 2021 (Limited Distribution)

This weekly briefing note, covering humanitarian developments in Southeastern Myanmar from 15 to 21 May, is produced by the Kayin Inter-Agency Coordination of the Southeastern Myanmar Working Group.

Highlights • Armed clashes between the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) continued, particularly in Kayin and Mon States. • Armed clashes between Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) and the MAF intensified in Bawlakhe, Demoso and Loikaw Townships of Kayah State. • Peaceful demonstrations continued in and Townships of , Mawlamying and Townships of , Dawei, Longlon, Thayetchaung and Yebyu Townships of Tanintharyi Region, and Demoso and Loikaw Townships of Kayah State during the week. Protestors were arrested at various locations. • Several bomb explosions were reported from various locations in Mon State, including Mawlamyin, , Paung, and Ye Townships. At least four people were reportedly injured as a result. • Humanitarian access to eastern Bago Region and of Kayin State remains limited due to increased military presence, checkpoints and armed clashes. • Armed clashes and displacement of populations have severely affected livelihoods activities in the region.

Humanitarian Situation The security situation continued to be tense in southeastern Myanmar with indiscriminate mortar shelling, deployment of armed forces and explosions in various locations. Intensified clashes between the KNU and the MAF were observed in Kayin and Mon states.

Aerial reconnaissance in the southern part of of Kayin State (a KNU Brigade 6 area), was observed for the first time after 1 February 2021.1 This has been attributed to the high number of Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) staff taking refuge in this region.

The Border Guard Force (BGF) continued to deploy troops to conflict zones in Kayin State. The BGF troops were also sent to various townships to increase security measures, including Kayin’s Hpapun and Kawkareik Townships, Thaton Township in Mon State, and some parts of Tanintharyi Region. It is unclear how many troops were deployed in total, according to some sources, the deployment could range from 500 to 1,000 personnel.2

Armed clashes and indiscriminate mortar shelling were reported in the Ler mu Plaw area3 of Hpapun Township in Kayin State, and Bilin Township in Mon state. One villager was injured, and one hut was damaged as a result. 4 In Mon State (the KNU Brigade 1 area), the KNU and People’s Defense Forces (PDF) attacked MAF supply trucks heading towards the KNU Brigade 5 area to prevent military deployment.

1 https://www.facebook.com/KICNewsPage/posts/1680317715486376 2 https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/with-conflict-escalating-karen-bgf-gets-back-to-business/ 3 https://www.facebook.com/KNUDOIHQ/posts/1437076930007959 4 https://www.facebook.com/KNUDOIHQ/posts/1437076930007959

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Heavy gunfire with artillery shelling was reported from the Mae Tha Ree Hta MAF base (Mae Kha Hta camp) at the Thai border. Villagers are reportedly worried about possible air strikes to this region.5

The situation in Kayah State continues to deteriorate with armed clashes and shootings reported in multiple locations during the week. Armed clashes between the MAF and Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) in Nan Phe region of Bawlakhe Township were reported on 20 May 2021. Reportedly, some villagers had to leave the region as a result of the clashes. Similarly, the situation was tense in Demoso town, as a result of which one person was injured and many others had to leave the town. Finally, shootings were also reported in Loikaw Township on 20 May 2021. On 21 May 2021, clashes between the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and SAC were reported in Demoso at least five locations, including Daungankha, Myo Ma, Si Pin, Sa Pya Chauk Mine and Marnarplaw. Shootings and blasts were also reported in Loikaw and Moe Bye on the same day. As a result of the events on 20 and 21 May, some local sources report that thousands fled to nearby villages in western Demoso and Hpruso close to the Shan State border, and in eastern Demoso and Hpruso near the Than Lwin (Salween) River. Displacement figures are not yet verified and local actors assume that the situation might get worse in Kayah. There are also reports of the BGF mobilizing in western Demoso and roads entering to Kayah being blocked by the PDF.

An estimated of 42,000 people were displaced in southeastern Myanmar since the beginning of February 2021. Since late March, some 6,900 Myanmar nationals have also sought safety from armed clashes in Thailand’s Mae Hong Son province, with 1,800 refugees currently being accommodated in temporary safety areas.

People continue to live in fear and are experiencing difficulties in fulfilling their daily livelihoods activities due to mortar shelling and clashes. 6 Humanitarian access to eastern Bago Region and Hpapun Township of Kayin State remains limited due to increased military presence, checkpoints and armed clashes. Dire humanitarian needs persist among the affected population with limited food, shelter, hygiene and sanitation assistance. Severe challenges in accessing healthcare are faced by IDPs stranded in jungle areas. The only emergency health care services available are provided by the Ethnic Armed Organizations in some areas with concentrations of IDPs, such as Kyaukkyi Township in eastern Bago Region.

Reponses As the 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 the most in need. According to the Free Burma Rangers, relief assistance is being delivered to over 40,000 displaced people in northern Kayin State with rice, medicine and tarpaulins being distributed by the civil society organization.7

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) provided shelter and emergency kits to 82 newly displaced households in eastern Bago Region. NRC’s education team continues its coaching and monitoring of youth vocational training graduates in its Hpa-An and Dawei offices. In addition, NRC and its partner Local Resource Center (LRC) have resumed vocational training in Hpa-An. Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance Team (ICLA) continued its assessment of Legal and Civil Documentation (LCD) in eastern Bago and delivered paralegal training to CSOs and CBOs in Taugoo and Dawei. It also provided awareness raising on LCD and Housing, Land and Property (HLP) rights in Kayin State. NRC’s Livelihoods and Food Security team is conducting ‘Business Eye Opening’ and ‘Advanced Business’ training to two communities in Dawei.

5 https://www.facebook.com/Salween-Press- 422055381238801/photos/pcb.3767283436715962/3767232443387728/ 6 https://www.facebook.com/KNUDOIHQ/posts/1437076930007959 7 https://www.freeburmarangers.org/2021/05/15/good-news-report-in-spite-of-burma-army-attacks-relief-is- getting-through/

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The medical team of Premier Urgence Internationale (PUI) reopened its mobile clinic in camp in Township, Kayin State during the week to provide primary health care services for the camp community.

UNICEF, in coordination with Karuna Mission Social Solidarity (KMSS) in Hpa-An, provided emergency child protection kits to 119 IDP children. It also provided 50 sets of hand washing stations for students from 42 schools in Kawtkareik Township. Two sets were also provided to IDPs in in Hpa-An Township. UNICEF signed Humanitarian Program Document (HDP) with the Community Partners International (CPI) to provide humanitarian relief to IDPs affected by airstrike. UNICEF is also preparing to sign partnership documents with PUI and the Suwannimit Foundation (SNF). Through partnerships, UNICEF will provide assistance related to health and nutrition, child protection, education and WASH supplies to IDPs on the Thai/Myanmar border.

Coordination Recent developments require the scaling up of the humanitarian response, along with increased coordination among local and international organizations. Partners in the Southeast will develop contingency plans, which will be built on common humanitarian scenarios taking into consideration the possible impacts of an escalation of the humanitarian crisis in the region. Partners will join their efforts and capacities in responding to emergency and identify rapidly growing unmet needs in the region through this exercise. To this end, a refresher training on contingency planning will be organized in the week of 24 May 2021, followed by a series of workshops to finalize the contingency plans.

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