Kayin Inter-Agency Coordination Southeastern Myanmar Working Group Weekly Briefing Note Southeastern Myanmar 1-7 May 2021 (Limited Distribution) Highlights • Clashes between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) of the Karen National Union (KNU) continued during the week in the Southeast of Myanmar, particularly in Hpapun and Hpa-An Townships in Kayin State and Thaton Township in Mon State. • On 2 and 3 May 2021, the MAF launched airstrikes in Bwa Der area in Hpapun Township of Kayin State. 1 2 No casualties were reported. • According to a situation update released by the KNU Department of Information, there were 27 airstrikes into the KNU Brigade 5 area, 47 artillery shells, and 407 clashes between the KNU and the MAF between 27 March and 5 May 2021. It added that air raids killed 14 civilians, wounded 28 people and destroyed 20 houses, five barns and two schools. Allegedly, the MAF confiscated the properties of villagers arbitrarily (e.g. motorbikes, cars, food stuff and cash). • Five explosions were reported in Thaton and Mawlamyine Townships of Mon State between 1 and 4 May 2021 consecutively.3 4 5 The explosion on 1 May 2021 was the first in Thaton Township since 1 February 2021 and three people were injured as a result. In addition, two explosions were reported in Loikaw Township, Kayah State and one in Hpa-An Township, Kayin State during the same week.6 • A boat (from Thu Mwe Hta village of Hpapun Township) on the Salween River was shot by the MAF on 4 May 2021. No casualties were reported.7 Humanitarian Situation, Needs and Response • It is estimated that around 40,000 people are internally displaced in the Southeast of Myanmar since 1 February. Of these, 25,000 are estimated to be in Kayin State. • Following the latest airstrikes in April 2021, 3,000 persons were internally displaced in Kayin State, while 2,159 persons sought safety in Thailand and are being accommodated at three different locations in Mae Sariang Subdistrict of Mae Hong Son Province in Thailand. 1 https://burmese.voanews.com/a/myanmar-karen-bgf-fighting-/5876771.html 2 http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/article/79687 3 http://burmese.dvb.no/archives/461092 4 https://www.facebook.com/thanlwintimes9/posts/2746142362176929 5 https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/1187180781719266 6 https://www.facebook.com/dakkhinanews/posts/294077762348140 7http://kicnews.org/2021/05/%e1%80%85%e1%80%85%e1%80%b9%e1%80%b1%e1%80%80%e1%80%ac%e1%80 %84%e1%80%b9%e1%80%85%e1%80%ae%e1%80%90%e1%80%95%e1%80%b9%e1%80%99%e1%80%bd- This report is produced by the Kayin Inter-Agency Coordination of the Southeastern Myanmar Working Group. Kayin Inter-Agency Coordination Southeastern Myanmar Working Group • The Karen Information Centre (KIC) news reported that at least 200 IDPs including children in Day Pu Noh area in Kayin State, who were displaced due to MAF airstrikes, are suffering from diarrhea due to unclean water. Reportedly, potable water purification filters are among the urgent needs for prevention and control of the disease. • The KIC reported on 4 May 2021 that the local community from Hpapun town and surrounding villages are suffering from food shortages due to heavy fighting between the MAF and the KNU. Road blockages, landmine risks on roads and increased commodity prices have presented additional hardship for affected communities. 8 Partners across the Southeast are exploring possibilities in improving access to areas with displacements in order to effectively respond to the humanitarian needs of affected communities. • Helvetas provided humanitarian assistance to 1,800 IDPs in Bilin Township of Mon State to cover their immediate needs (e.g. rice, lifestraw filters, soap) and is planning to continue supporting the displaced population in Mon State with more interventions. • NRC provided multi-purpose cash assistance, shelter and emergency kits to 409 newly displaced and conflict affected families in Kamamaung town, Kayin State and in eastern Bago Region. NRC plans to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to IDPs in eastern Bago Region, including education in emergencies interventions, shelter and emergency kits and multi-purpose cash assistance. • UNHCR and Future Community Development Organization provided 200 sets of NFIs consisting of mosquito nets, pillows and pillowcases to IDPs in Kawkareik Township, Kayin State. • WFP provided food items to 1,100 IDPs in Kyaukkyi Township of eastern Bago Region. WFP is also planning to deliver assistance to IDPs in Myaing Gyi Ngu camp in Hlaing Bwe Township of Kayin State. 8http://kicnews.org/2021/05/%e1%80%96%e1%80%ac%e1%80%95%e1%80%bc%e1%80%94%e1%80%b9%e1%81 %bf%e1%80%99%e1%80%ad%e1%80%b3%e1%82%95%e1%82%8f%e1%80%bd%e1%80%84%e1%80%b7%e1%80 %b9%e1%80%a1%e1%80%94%e1%80%ae%e1%80%b8%e1%80%94%e1%80%ac/ This report is produced by the Kayin Inter-Agency Coordination of the Southeastern Myanmar Working Group. .