The United Nations humanitarian agency says an estimated 230,000 people have been displaced by violence and fighting in Myanmar this year and are in need of assistance.

In their latest report on the crisis in Myanmar, which erupted following the 1 February military coup, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said relief operations were ongoing but were being hindered by the fighting and insecurity in the country.

“Displaced people, as well as communities in affected areas, are in urgent need of a wide range of humanitarian assistance, including food and basic household materials, shelter, access to healthcare, water and sanitation, as well as various protection services, including psychosocial support,” the report released this week says.

Roughly 177,000 people had been displaced in Karen state bordering Thailand, 103,000 reportedly in the past month, while more than 20,000 people were sheltering at 100 displacement areas after fighting between People’s Defence Forces (PDF) and the military in Chin State bordering India.

Thousands have reportedly fled fighting in northern Kachin and Shan States.

Photo: This picture taken on June 3, 2021, shows people taking refuge in a jungle area in Demoso, Kayah State after they fled from conflict zones where fighting between the Myanmar military and members of the People's Defence Force (PDF) took place as the country remains in turmoil after the February military coup. Photo: AFP