Hundreds of civilians have fled their homes and are seeking refuge in churches in Myanmar’s conflict-torn Kachin State amid the military’s offensive against Kachin rebels.
More than 900 civilians from Kasung and Zup Mai villages are taking refuge in two Catholic Churches and a Baptist Church in Namti town after church groups rescued them on April 22. Father Peter Hka Awng Tu, parish priest of St Columban’s Cathedral, said people from Zup Mai had to walk for three days after fleeing their homes on April 20.
The priest said clothes donated by parishioners and food were given to the displaced people on April 23.
He said they rescued fleeing civilians, including women, children and the elderly, after he had a meeting with the military’s northern commander, who gave the green light. “At present people can’t go back to their villages as it is not safe for them because more fighting could erupt. Church groups will continue providing humanitarian assistance,” Father Awng Tu told.
On April 20, Myanmar’s military launched an offensive against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) by using airstrikes near Kasung village that led to hundreds of people fleeing their homes.
More than 1,000 civilians from Kasung, which is about 25 kilometers from Namti town, fled their homes in August 2017 following clashes between the military and the KIA.
More than 2,000 people remain trapped in a jungle since heavy fighting between Myanmar’s military and the KIA erupted near Awng Lawt and nearby villages on April 11.
About 200 Catholics remain stranded after attending a jubilee celebration on April 8-9 in Tanai, a gold and amber mining region, and cannot return to their village, according to Father Awng Tu.
