Local Residents Trapping In Waingmaw Township Clashes Area For Three Days Are Struggling With Food And Potable Water

Pajau Media

9th March, 2023

The local residents from Shwe Nyaung Pin Village, Aung Myay (1) Village and Aung Myay (2) Village who are trapping in the conflicts area for 3 days due to the clashes between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the joint forces of the SAC and the Militia are particularly worried about the difficulty of living and the threat of weapons.

According to the local of Aung Myay (1) village, “The clash was intense, so we have to be alert and careful day and night. And we didn’t have time to cook, therefore it’s been 2 days that we haven’t eaten rice. The children also only ate the snacks and instant noodles that they had brought before. Now there is no food to eat and the children are crying because they are hungry. We don’t know what to do.”

Especially children and elderly are suffering from hunger and people are worried that they will be hit by explosives from the clashes.

“Since 5 o’clock yesterday morning, we have not been able to cook and eat due to the explosions and gunpoint. The instant food that we had brought the previous day has also run out, and the children are crying because they are hungry,” said another resident from Aung Myay(1).

Similarly, aid and rescue groups from Waingmaw are also unable to go and help the trapped residents because the entrance and exit of the village are closed, and some Civil Society Organizations are also asking the authorities for the permission to help and rescue, said a person involved in the relief effort.

“We are asking the relevant authorities for a permit to help and rescue the trapped people, but now that the clash is intense, we haven’t got a permit yet,” said the person above.

Since the morning of March 7, the KIA has launched the offensive attacks against some militia camps along the Myitkyina-Bhamo highway, and all the entrances and exits of the villages in the area have been blocked, so the locals were trapped between the clashes.

The locals have been stuck in the middle of the clashes for almost 3 days now, and they are having difficulties because the food supplies are also running out.

Currently, the locals of Aung Myay(1) have gathered at the church of Aung Myay(1) and the rest of the villages also took place in nearby shelters. And there is a need for food and potable water. In addition, the local population in the area is said to be nearly 10,000 in total.

Additionally, the pastor who was trapped in Shwe Nyaung Pin village, also said that because of frequent airstrike attacks, he had to move and hide in safe shelters, and some houses were set on fire due to the explosion of heavy artilleries.

The clashes between the KIA/ KPDF joint forces and the SAC are still intense in the field between Aung Myay(1) and Shwe Nyaung Pin, the trapped locals were worried about their lives and the lack of food and potable water, said residents of Shwe Nyaung Pin Village.

News – Lay Pyay