School-age children and infants as young as a few months old are experiencing skin rash and itching conditions at an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Mei Som (South), Pekon Township, located along the Shan-Karenni border, according to the camp’s displacement committee.

The skin condition has been recurring among some camp residents since last year, with affected individuals experiencing little to no recovery before relapsing, sources said.

“It tends to be worse among those with poor personal hygiene conditions. It has been going on for quite a long time here — it was severely bad last year, and it has been persisting for years now. Since infants are also affected, it is extremely difficult for mothers,” said one volunteer.

While some patients have recovered, medicines are still urgently needed for those continuing to suffer from the condition.

The camp has no on-site medical clinic. Health teams visit and provide services once a month on outreach rounds. At present, those suffering from fever and skin conditions must travel to nearby villages to seek treatment — a journey made more difficult by the ongoing rainy season.

Skin rash cases have also been reported at other IDP camps beyond Mei Som (South). The displaced residents originally fled from Moebye and Pekon townships. The camp currently shelters over 70 households — including both IDPs and local residents — with a total population of more than 160 people.