The Junta's checkpoint in Nangpang Town intercepted and confiscated UN’s delivery of food aid -900 bags of rice- intended for war-displaced people in Sankar Town, Nyaungshwe Township, southern Shan State, local humanitarian workers said.

The bags of rice, provided by the World Food Program (WFP) for war-displaced individuals in Sankar, were seized on May 5 during their transportation to the intended recipients.

"The rice donated by WFP was being transported from Nyaungshwe but was confiscated by soldiers at the Nangpang checkpoint. They did not detain the driver. This act clearly constitutes the unjust theft of donated goods”, an aid worker helping the war-displaced population told Shan Herald.

International aid organisations point out this is not an isolated case, but part of pattern which usually brings a very weak response from WFP and the UN agencies based inside Myanmar which has resulted in many complaints from civil society.

The majority of war-displaced individuals taking refuge in the old town area of Sankar are refugees originating from villages bordering the three townships of Pekon, Nyaungshwe, and Pinlaung, with their numbers nearing 10,000 people.

"Now that the rainy season has begun, a lot of people are getting sick. We do not have enough medicine, and we really need more. Also, we need food and shelter”, a war-displaced woman said.

Shan Herald attempted to contact WFP regarding the reports of confiscated rice bags, but was unable to establish contact.

In the three months since fighting erupted in southern Shan State, the number of war-displaced individuals has soared to over 100,000, highlighting their ongoing urgent need for humanitarian assistance.