There are nearly 370,000 war refugees in Southeast Myanmar

While meeting the children of war refugees from Karen State on May 18, 2022.

After the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, the southeastern regions of the country such as Karen, itch Shan mon The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) announced today, February 9, that more than 368,400 local residents have fled to safety due to intense fighting, including airstrikes and artillery fire, in the eastern part of Tanintharyi and Baguio.

According to the latest United Nations figures as of January 30, there are more than 361,000 war-affected refugees in southeastern Myanmar, with an additional 7,400 more war-affected refugees in the first week of February, and now there are more than 368,400 war-affected refugees.

105,400 refugees in Karen State, the southeastern regions of Myanmar; 86,600 refugees in Kayah (Kareni) province; 54,000 refugees in southern Shan State; 26,800 refugees in Mon State; 38,700 refugees in Tanintharyi province and 56,900 refugees in the eastern part of Bago province are fleeing to safety.

Since the end of December 2022, due to fierce fighting between the Military Council Army and the Karen National Liberation Army in and around Kyin Pyi Gyi Township, about 17,000 people from 20 villages have fled their homes, according to UNOCHA's statement.

Those war refugees are sitting in the jungles near the Thai-Myanmar border, without food, UN OCHA says there is an urgent need for medical and shelter assistance.

The statement also said that due to tighter security at checkpoints across Kayah and Karen states, humanitarian partners are facing difficulties in providing aid to war-torn refugees living in remote areas.

In addition, Karen State In Thantaung City, more than 6,200 residents fled due to heavy weapons fire by the Military Council, and in Kayah State, due to the fighting on January 23rd and 24th, around 1,000 people in Di Moso and Loikko Township were left homeless.

There are more than 1.5 million internally displaced people in Myanmar, of which 1.2 million people were displaced due to the conflict and insecurity caused by the February 2021 coup, according to UN OCHA.

In 2022, humanitarian partners reached 4 million people across the country with essential aid, according to the UN OCHA statement.