Humanitarian aid workers have reported that camps in Mindat Township, Chin State, where internally displaced people (IDPs) have sought refuge, are currently under a serious threat of food shortages, necessitating urgent aid.

As a consequence of military conflicts and regional instability in three sub-districts of  Mindat Township, locals faced disruptions in their farming activities during the last planting season. The dire situation of food supply for IDP camps has deteriorated recently, according to information provided to Chin World by an aid worker.

"Some villages managed to store only enough for sustenance, while others saved seeds for the next year. Due to the fear of shelling and bombing, our agricultural activities were hindered, and a looming food crisis is now imminent”, the source said.

The villages in the mentioned three sub-districts faced the main impact of shelling and airstrikes by the Military Council forces across Mindat Township, with unexploded ordnance posing an ongoing threat in those areas. Aid workers are appealing for heightened food assistance, underscoring the vital role these villages play in supporting IDPs in Mindat.

"In winter, warm clothes are crucial, but the most urgent need is for food. Some villages with IDP camps may face a potential food shortage in the next 3 months, so I encourage everyone to provide assistance as much as possible”, the aid worker told Chin World.

Mindat residents have noted that the political instability following the Military Council's reckless coup has adversely affected agriculture and livestock businesses, leading to significant challenges in sustaining family livelihoods.