Nearly 500 children have been infected with the COVID-19 Omicron strain at IDP camps in Karenni State's western Demoso Township.

Because there is no facility to cure them, one child after another becomes infected.

In addition, the military council has restricted the import of medicines to Karenni State resulting in a shortage of medicines in the refugee camps and with even Omicron-infected children unable to receive cough syrup, according to a relief worker.

Currently, Omicron-infected children are suffering from coughing, running noses and sickness and there is an urgent need for medical supplies for children, including beds.

Last February, there was a massive outbreak of COVID-19 in the IDP camp in western Demoso which has a population of 100 000 people.

Conflicts erupted in Karenni State between the military council and the local People's Defense Force, and over 200,000 people remain stranded in woods and IDP camps.