Sai Aw, Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) | May 30, 2016

Sai Wan Leng Kham, an upper house member of parliament for the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), visited a refugee camp in Lashio Township last week. The visit to displaced families affected by the conflict in Shan State led the MP to call for Burma’s military to stop reinforcing troops in ethnic regions.

Reached for comment by SHAN, Sai Wan Leng Kham, said that the ongoing civil war is an obstacle for development. He noted that because of the conflict children have become malnourished and are unable attend school.

“In ethnic areas, the education system is very poor,” he explained. “And even worse, it is because the government’s military launched their offensive in these areas and as a result children can’t access education. Again, this time is the time for villagers to grow their crops but they have to face this. I want the government’s military to stop their offensive,” he added.

Sai Wan Leng Kham went on to explain that because of the fighting, the plan for development in ethnic areas could not be completed.

“While the country is developing, the people in ethnic areas are facing difficulties. Because of the fighting, they are left behind,” he said.

“There has been ongoing conflict for over 60 years. Every day people are fleeing their homes. If this situation keeps going on, I have no hope for our country to be developed,” Sai Wan Leng Kham added.

He believes now is the time to bring peace to the country. As the new government just came to office, this kind of conflict not should be happening

“The Burma Army should call for a nationwide ceasefire and work on the peace process immediately,” he said.

Due to the Burma military’s offensive against the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA), over 1,500 people have become internally displaced persons (IDPs). They are now staying in refugee camps, temples and with their relatives in Lashio and Hsipaw Townships.

This article originally appeared on Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) on May 30, 2016.

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