September 19, 2024

WEEKLY BURMA SUMMARY

Flooding Across Burma Slows Conflict While Creating Challenges

Flooding across the country stalled some conflict while all sides scrambled to deal with an overwhelming amount of damage to infrastructure. This flooding disproportionately impacts IDPs, whose temporary shelters are easily destroyed and often lack consistent access to food and fresh water.

NORTHERN KAREN STATE

Left: Rangers attempt to salvage a destroyed outpost.

Right: Changyi Village flooding.

Top: Rangers attempt to salvage a destroyed outpost.

Bottom: Changyi Village flooding.

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Heavy rains and flooding hit Northern Karen State, slowing military attacks but burdening displaced people with new a category of hardship. The people of Changyi Village, Taw Oo District, were forced from their homes due to flooding. The 416 IDPs have taken refuge in Luwa Public School where there is limited food and dry shelter available. They are cut off from phone and internet communication and relief workers struggle to reach them. Please pray for the people of Northern Karen State to receive food and aid they need.

Even Now: Educating in IDP camps

CENTRAL KAREN STATE

Left: Daw Win Aye (65) who was injured in the leg by Burma Army shrapnel.

Right: Naw Ya Min (17) who was injured in the neck by Burma Army shrapnel.

Top: Daw Win Aye (65) who was injured in the leg by Burma Army shrapnel.

Bottom: Naw Ya Min (17) who was injured in the neck by Burma Army shrapnel.

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Recent military actions in Central Karen State have resulted in numerous civilian injuries and escalating violence. An 81mm mortar shell fired from the Burma Army’s Than Ta Dar checkpoint on September 9 injured three civilians in Tha Pyae Ni Village. They are 15-year-old Nan Shwe Yi, 57-year-old Daw Mi Thay, and 60-year-old U Moe Thein.

At 0230 hours, the Burma military conducted an airstrike using jet fighters on Kyone Kha Wan Village in Win Yae Township. This airstrike left 57-year-old U Maung Pein and three-year-old Kyawt So Nerh with non-life threatening injuries and damaged several homes and farms.

Along with revolutionary forces, the KNLA (Karen National Liberation Army) captured Burma Army’s Luwt Shan Camp on September 12 around 0600 hours after more than 80 Burma Army troops withdrew in the days prior. September 13, a Burma military Y-12 aircraft dropped supplies near Ahnangkwin Camp, Noh Chu Ne Village in Dooplaya District, while a Mi-35 helicopter provided cover by firing at suspected KNLA positions.

Throughout the day, indirect fire from the Burma Army Artillery Battalion 207 caused injuries to civilians. A 120mm mortar strike in Kha Yawe Village, Kyaikhto Township, injured two individuals: 65-year-old Daw Win Aye and 18-year-old Mg Hein Htet Aung. Additionally, on September 14 at 2130 hours, an 81mm mortar strike from Burma Army Infantry Battalion 8 landed in Poe Wah Thein Village, causing life-threatening injuries to 17-year-old Naw Ya Min who was struck in her neck by shrapnel.

Read about FBR’s work in the battle of Papun

KARENNI STATE

Left: Rangers provide medical care for IDPs.

Right: Rangers search for missing combat medic students.

Top: Rangers provide medical care for IDPs.

Bottom: Rangers search for missing combat medic students.

Rangers work hard to provide aid to those in Karenni State as flooding exacerbates an already challenging situation for displaced people. On 9 September, Rangers visited Bangkok IDP Camp, La Ei Village, Phekhon Township, previously attacked by the Burma military, to discover areas of need. On 11 September, Rangers conducted a GLC program for 100 people at See San Kho Village IDP Camp, Demoso Township. Rangers served villagers and displaced people by providing food and entertainment, sharing the Gospel, and educating them on basic health practices. Rangers also conducted a mobile clinic treating 68 patients.

On the night of 11 September, the Pawn River suddenly flooded its banks and surrounding areas. The sudden flow of water caught a class of combat medic students on a bridge near Daw Wal Khu Village, West Demoso Township, carrying away many of them. Ranger teams responded and searched for the students, finding some alive though 16 are still missing. The sudden flow also forced the evacuation of the Pawn River IDP Camp, West Demoso, home to 1000 displaced people. The river carried away pets, possessions, and temporary structures. On 12 September, the persistent fooding in Shar Taw Township damaged 99 of 165 homes in Su Phe Log Village, and 40 of the 50 homes in Pawn River Village. Rangers responded on 14 September, helping to transport the 998 displaced residents, clearing debris, and interviewing the villagers.

SYRIA

Left: Children enjoy their playground in the Serekaniye IDP camp.

Right: A celebration of the new playground in Hasaka.

Top: Children enjoy their playground in the Serekaniye IDP camp.

Bottom: A celebration of the new playground in Hasaka.

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FBR volunteers recently installed two new playgrounds in Syria thanks to equipment provided by Reload Love. One playground was set up in Hasaka Garden on the Highway to Tal Tamir, providing children in this conflict zone a crucial space to play, laugh, and engage with their community. Another playground was added to the new section of Serekaniye Camp in southern Al-Hasakah. The camp had only one playground to serve nearly 15,818 residents. We pray these new spaces offer a safe, fun environment for kids to experience the joys of childhood amidst challenging conditions in conflict-torn areas.

Watch children enjoy their new playground