Since last week, cases of diarrhea have been occurring in an internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp located in Makarawshet village tract, Hpruso Township, Karenni State, according to the village tract administrator.

“Here, every time we arrive in January and February, people usually get the flu. That’s partly related to ourselves, and also people not taking enough care of themselves and having poor personal hygiene. Yesterday and the day before, cases of diarrhea started to appear. It’s not severe yet. It might be due to eating something inappropriate,” said village tract administrator U Soe Reh.

Because the village tract is already facing water shortages, local residents are worried that diarrhea cases could increase further.

“We are worried. There is no medicine, and there are no trained medics,” he added.

At the IDP camp in Makarawshet village tract, Hpruso Township, residents from six villages are currently sheltering there. Due to the absence of medical staff, the self-reliant health clinic has been temporarily closed.

The camp is home to more than 200 households, with a population of nearly 1,000 people.