Local residents, including internally displaced children, in the eastern part of Hpruso Township, Karenni State, are experiencing skin irritation. Due to military operations by the junta forces, displaced people have taken refuge in a village in eastern Hpruso. Both local villagers and displaced families are suffering from skin itching.

“All four siblings are itching, and the children become very thin because of it,” said a local resident who is providing medical care.

At present, they are trying to treat the skin condition with available ointments and medicines, but there has been no improvement.

Villages in eastern Hpruso face water shortages every summer and do not have enough water for personal hygiene. Because they are unable to bathe regularly, people are developing itchy sores on their hands, bodies, and thighs. Living in remote forested areas also makes it difficult to access medical assistance, a displaced woman explained.

“There’s no way to contact anyone. Since we are in the forest, communication is very difficult,” she said.

In the village where the skin irritation has spread, there are more than 100 displaced households, and the total number of school-age children, including both local and displaced, is over 400.