Joint Strategy Team: Urgent Humanitarian Situation Update in Northern Shan State

Joint Strategy Team | March 8, 2017

Fighting erupted on early 6th March at Laukai area of Kokang self-administered zone of Northern Shan State in Myanamr between Government Armed Forces and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).

In the recent conflict, about 20 civilian and combatant causalities were reported. One female primary school teacher was also killed. The number of civilian casualties needed confirmation.

Fighting continues and therefore civilians are running away to different directions. Some local civilians have crossed into China. Meanwhile, most of the migrant workers from lower Myanmar escaped from the conflict area by heading towards Lashio. About 200 people arrived Lashio on 7 March 2017. Lashio Mansu Monastery and local CSOs supported them for their travel back home. In the mean time, most of the people are moving out from Laukai towards Kunlone town which is the nearest town in the area. However, the road between Laukai and Kunlone is also not safe and very few car can pass through. Promptly, the transportation charges skyrocketed and it reached more than ten time of normal rate. Most of the civilians are trapped between the Myanmar and China border area.

The major concerns for the civilians in the regions are protection, safety and security. The urgent life saving humanitarian response is also critical for the civilians in conflict affected area in Northern Shan State. Immediate cessation of hostility is needed from the conflict parties to avoid unnecessary human suffering and killings. Contradicting narratives and biased information were seen on social media as well as from the formal media outlets. Access to correct information is important in such situation in order to provide most needed humanitarian aid and protection.

Joint Strategy Team – Bridging Rural Integrated Development and Grassroot Empowerment (BRIDGE), Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), Kachin Relief and Development Committee (KRDC), Kachin Women Association (KWA), Kachin Development Group (KDG), Karuna Mission Social Solidarity (KMSS), Metta Development Foundation (Metta), Nyein (Shalom) Foundation and Wunpawng Ninghtoi (WPN). Contact: Gum Sha Awng, gum.sha.awng@metta-myanmar.org (+95 95192913)