New displacement in Northern Shan State

By Mizzima | May 11, 2016

On 7-8 May 2016, an estimated 1,600 people left their villages in Kyaukme and Hsipaw townships in Shan State following heightened tensions between armed groups in the area, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

According to the Government’s Relief and Resettlement Department (RRD), 1037 newly displaced people (316 house-holds) arrived in Kyaukme Town and are staying at seven sites. In Hsipaw Town, 596 people (143 households) also arrived and are sheltering in two monasteries.

The Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) has distributed some relief items in Hsipaw and distributions in Kyaukme are ongoing. The RRD has also provided relief kits and food sufficient for three days in both locations.

An inter-agency team of UN and NGO humanitarian staff will travel to Kyaukme and Hsipaw for an assessment of humanitarian needs, the UN body said.