In Myanmar's northwest, about 37,000 people have been displaced

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

In recent days, there have also been alarming reports of the shelling and burning of more than 160 civilian homes in the town of Thantlang in western Chin.

According to a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, about 37,000 people, including women and children, have been displaced in Myanmar's restive northwest, and many have fled their homes in preparation of the present violence, even into India.

 

At the daily press briefing on Monday, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Florencia Soto Nino said the UN team in Myanmar "remains deeply concerned over the recent escalation in fighting in the northwest between the Myanmar Military and the local Popular Defence Forces in Chin State, as well as Magway and Sagaing regions."

She claimed that nine months after the military seized control of Myanmar's government on February 1, more people have been displaced and property has been damaged as a result of this.
In recent days, there have also been alarming allegations of shelling and burning of more than 160 civilian homes in the western Chin village of Thantlang.

 

"According to our humanitarian partners, 37,000 individuals, mostly women and children, have been relocated in the country's northwest.
Many individuals have fled their houses in preparation of the current fighting, including into India,” Ms Nino said, adding that this is on top of the more than 7,000 people who have been displaced since December 2019 due to prior conflict.

The UN team reiterates its calls for all parties to the conflict to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and humanitarians, and she emphasises that relief workers and their property should never be targeted.