October 24, 2024

WEEKLY BURMA SUMMARY

A Karenni Ranger medic provides medical care to an elderly IDP.

Ranger Teams Bring Help, Hope, and Love to IDPs Across Burma

As the Burma Army continues to perpetrate violence against civilians this week, Ranger teams provided frontline aid, medical care to rural areas, and Good Life Clubs to IDPs in Southeast Burma.

NORTHERN KAREN STATE

16-year-old Thu Rein Soe who was injured by a Burma Army mortar.

From 14-21 Oct, Burma military airstrikes and shelling in Mu Traw and Kler Lwe Htoo districts destroyed houses and injured one civilian who was treated by Ranger teams.

On 18 Oct., in retaliation of Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) drone damage, three Burma military jets dropped 10 bombs around Kaw Pu area and Toh Poe Pa Der Village, Mu Traw District (no casualties reported).

After a ground offensive, the Burma Army mortared Ler Doh Township, destroying two houses and injuring one villager. On 15 Oct., Burma Army forces launched 60mm mortars into Tha Seik Ywa Ma, injuring 16-year-old Thu Rein Soe. Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People (CIDKP), Karen Office of Relief and Development (KORD) and Ranger teams evacuated the victim for treatment at a Karen National Union (KNU) clinic in Hsaw Hti Township. From 19-21 Oct., 60 Burma Army troops entered Suu Kin Tha and fought with the KNLA. Burma Army launched 81mm mortars and howitzer fire into Suu Kin Tha and Kaw Tha Say villages, Ler Doh Township, destroying two houses but causing no casualties.

See more of FBR’s work in Karen State

CENTRAL KAREN STATE

Rangers lead children in Hlut Shann Taung Wine Village in song and dance and afterwards provide them lunch.

Ongoing military actions have exacerbated tensions in the region of Dooplaya District, Central Karen State, with both airstrikes and artillery shelling on civilian infrastructure reported over the past week. Despite this, Ranger teams continue to deliver humanitarian relief to impacted areas.

On 9 Oct., the Burma military launched airstrikes using Y-12 aircraft on Noh Chue Nae Village and Pa Naw Khale Kee Village in Win Yae Township. No injuries were reported from these attacks. The following week, on 17 Oct., the KNLA and allied resistance forces successfully captured an enemy artillery hill near Lay Kay Kaw on Swel Taw Kone.

On 18 Oct., three shells fired from artillery operated by Burma Army Battalion 231 struck Taung Kyar Inn and Myaung Kyar Inn villages in Kyondoe Township. This shelling resulted in the fatal injury of 71-year-old U Pho O and left 70-year-old U Pho Thein injured. The attacks also caused damage to civilian property, including homes and agricultural land.

In addition to military engagements, the Burma military has been conducting resupply operations for the Burma Army Ah Nan Kwin camp in Win Yae Township. Y-12 aircraft have made almost daily supply drops throughout the past weeks, underlining the lack of effective ground supply channels for the Burma Army.

Amid these conflicts, humanitarian efforts have continued. On 19 Oct., Rangers provided meals to 49 children at a refugee school in Hlut Shann Taung Wine Village as part of their Good Life Club (GLC) program. By performing songs and dances, the Rangers uplifted the villagers with hope and kindness.

KARENNI STATE

Left: A Ranger medic provides medical care to an IDP in Sa Lwin River Camp.

Right: Karenni children listen during a GLC program.

Top: A Ranger medic provides medical care to an IDP in Sa Lwin River Camp.

Bottom: Karenni children listen during a GLC program.

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Karenni Rangers provided GLC programs for over 800 IDPs that have fled conflict in the region.

Between 15 Oct. and 17 Oct., they conducted GLC programs in Nan Man Kee Village, Mel Sel Township, Sa Lwin River IDP Camp, Pha Hsawg Township, and Loi Nan Pha Market IDP Camp, West Demosso Township, serving a total of 630 IDPs across the three sites. Rangers provided encouragement, entertainment, basic hygiene education, a meal, and the Gospel to all participants. Karenni Ranger medics concurrently conducted two mobile health clinics on 16 Oct., treating 97 patients at Sa Lwin River IDP Camp and 86 patients at the Lwal Yin Village school, Phe Khon Township. Patients are generally suffering from common colds, seasonal influenza, and hypertension but do not have easy access to medical care.

During the clinics, Ranger medics treated an 11-year-old girl named An Taw Nya who is near-sighted. An Taw Nya and her family fled their home eight months ago. Since then, she has tried to continue her education at the Lwal Yin school but her poor vision has hampered her ability to see the whiteboard during class instruction. Rangers helped An Taw Nya acquire glasses to correct her vision.

Watch Karenni Rangers put on a GLC program

SYRIA

Left: Food provided to the Syrian family.

Right: One of the sons helped by our Syrian coordinator.

Top: Food provided to the Syrian family.

Bottom: One of the sons helped by our Syrian coordinator.

This week, FBR’s Middle East team had the privilege of helping a Syrian family with food and funds. Our Syria coordinator, Kahbat, recently visited a family in need and provided them with a food basket and $200. The mother was overwhelmed with gratitude and asked her to thank supporters of FBR for their generosity and support.

This family has three children, now adults, who developed disabilities when they turned 11. Their condition has caused paralysis in their legs and hands, leaving them unable to care for themselves. They are aged 28, 30, and 32. Their mother is their sole caregiver, managing all their daily needs, including feeding them and helping with basic tasks.