Narinjara News, March 23, 2023

The United NationsOffice for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on the afternoon of March 21 that more than 1.7 millionpeople have been displaced due to the ongoing conflicts across Myanmar.

Nearly 1.4 millionof them are displaced in Myanmar due to the conflict and insecurity thatfollowed themilitary coup in February 2021 based on the list compiled as of March 13, 2023

The report furtherstated that the humanitarian needs of the millions who have been displaced due to the ongoing internal conflicts in Myanmar areincreasing.

Maw Pray Myar, thesecond secretary of the Karenni National Women's Organization (KNWO),has remarked onthe situation of refugees from Karenni (Kayah) state, which is among theregions with thehighest number of displaced people.

“Asof the past week or two, the number of IDPs in Karenni State has exceeded 200,000,with the majority concentrated in Demoso Township and Hpruso Township, followed by Pekon and Moebye. There arealso people displaced from the border areas. We are concerned that 70-80 percent of theseIDPs are elderly, children, women, and disabled individuals," shesaid.

Reports indicatethat military operations have intensified in Kachin State, Kayah State, ShanState, and the eastern townships of Bago Region since the beginning of 2023, with a notableincrease in groundoperations and air strikes.

During that period,the largest number of displaced persons came from Sagaing Region and Chin State innorthwestern Myanmar, as well as Kayah and Karen States in the southeast,according to OCHAstatistics.

A total of 940,000people have been displaced from their homes in Sagaing Division and Chin State innorthwestern Myanmar, while over 400,000 people have been forced to flee fromKarenni and Karenstates in the southeast.

Meanwhile Juntaforces have forced over 600 internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return home as three IDP campsare dismantled in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State, according to IDPs.

According to an IDPfrom the Mahamuni IDP camp, the Military Council has been pressuring them to return home, despite their fears of doing so.IDPs are concerned about the lack of guarantee for their safety and well-being after repatriation.