Aid is urgently needed for more than 400 internally displaced people (IDPs) who are fleeing war in Hsipaw (Thibaw) in northern Shan state.

An IDP woman who temporarily took refuge in Hsipaw told Shan Herald, ”On the morning of November 26 more than 400 residents from surrounding villages fled to town of Hsipaw, due to clashes between the Military Council and Shan State Progress Party’ss armed wing, Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) in Kone Thar village of Hsipaw.

She added “ The most difficult thing right now is getting food. We also need blankets and warm clothes for children, mothers, and the elderly because it is very cold weather. We couldn’t bring these things when we fled. Now we share and eat the food we have, with each other as much as possible.”

On November 10, armed clashes broke out between SSPP/SSA and the Military Council troops marching towards Kone Thar village.

More than 400 IDPs are temporarily sheltering in the Christian church in Hsipaw, Mahasi monastery near the railway station, Bo Taw temple and houses of their relatives.

A Hsipaw-based volunteer woman helping IDPs also confirmed to Shan Herald that there is an urgent need for food, warm clothes and other commodities.

“ There are many people who are fleeing without being able to carry any belongings. Sayadaw (the abbot) is helping the IDPs who come to the monastery, as much as he can, but it is not enough. In the long term, they may face many difficulties. Currently, according to our list, there are more than 300 IDPs, but there are also people who have not been registered, so we estimate that more than 400 people need help”, she said.

In addition to the residents of Kone Thar village where the fighting took place, villagers of nearby Ho Naung and Kone Pin villages also fled to Hsipaw.

The Coup Military Council troops have been stationed in Kone Thar village since the beginning of the fighting, and the military tension in the region is still alarming, so the IDPs have not yet dared to return to their homes.