We are Tai (WAT), a Shan youth group based in Shan State’s Taunggyi Capital, provided handicraft training to displaced persons, who are taking shelter in Namtu Township, northern Shan State, earlier this month.
In addition to handiwork training, the WAT also provided humanitarian assistance to the displaced people, who are afraid to go back homes due to uncertain armed conflict situation.
“We give the handicraft training to help the displaced people minimize their worries as they were forced to flee by the fighting and to help the kids to be happy. For the adults and women, we train them with handiwork including embroidery and crocheting,” said Nang Kay Si, a leader of WAT.
There are over 1,000 displaced persons, including Kachin, Shan, Lisu and Palaung people, taking shelter at six makeshift camps, respectively, in Namtu Township.
“Villagers from 4-5 villages in Mantong Township daren’t to go back. At the moment, the camp committee is providing rations for them. They have rice and oil but have difficulties to share other rations. They are worried for their daily life yet to come. They do not know when they could return homes. They said they are afraid to go back as the Tatmadaw troops are making trenches there. It’s better if this war is over,” said Nang Kay Si.
Thousands of locals in the townships of Namsan, Namtu, Mantong, Kyaukme and Kutkhai, have to flee and become displaced persons due to the fighting between Tatmadaw and Northern Alliance, comprised of Kachin Independent Army (KIA), TNLA, MNDAA and AA, as well as between the TNLA and RCSS/SSA, in the areas.
Translated by Aong Jaeneh
