Over 80,000 more people have been displaced in Kachin since the February 2021 coup according to a 14 August report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

In February 2021 there were 110,500 displaced people (IDPs) in Kachin State. By 12 August 2024 that number had risen to 194,900, an increase of 84,440, according to the UNHCR report.

Following the coup, the first mass displacements of entire villages in Kachin State happened when over 10,000 villagers had to flee 12 villages in Shwegu Township from 28 April 2023 because of heavy fighting in the eastern part of Shwegu Town.

Residents of at least 20 villages in Waingmaw Township fled fighting between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) supported by allied forces and the junta army that started on 7 March 2024.

Tens of thousands of people have also been displaced from other Kachin State townships, including MoMauk, Mansi, Hpakan, and Putao.

Though some IDPs have been able to return home, the majority remain displaced in towns such as Myitkyina, Laiza and Mai Ja Yang.

Jacob, a Kachin Human Rights Watch (KHRW) spokesperson, said to Kachin News Group (KNG): "In every IDP camp, there is a critical need for shelter, medicine, and food. Additionally, there is a shortage of educational facilities and teachers for the students. We also see that parents face difficulties in supporting them [students].”