There were over 50 homes destroyed by fighting between several ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) in Namtu and Kyaukme townships, northern Shan State.

A volunteer providing assistance to villagers affected by fighting said 54 homes were destroyed by the conflict between Restoration Council of Shan State and combined forces: Shan State Progress Party and Ta’ang National Liberation Army since the end of March.

Hostilities between EAOs in Namtu Township in April has been constant, causing the displacement of 2,000 civilians. Many sought refuge from the violence in nearby Hsipaw Township.

The volunteer told SHAN there were forty-five homes destroyed in Pan Lon, four in Wan Hser, two in Yay-O and five in Wan Li.

There were 130 villagers from Tar Pu who fled to Hsipaw Township after fighting between EAOs broke out on April 25. The village is close to Pan Lon, where clashes have been ongoing. It is the second time the residents were forced from their homes because of the conflict, according to another volunteer helping them, who fears there will be food shortages should the conflict continue in the area.

There are more than 1,000 people at an internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp in Hsipaw town, where they have been arriving since April 6. Volunteers told SHAN they come and go depending on whether there are clashes near their villages.

“Numbers of IDPs is changing all the time. Some people return to their village if there is no fighting, then flee again when clashes start up again,” a volunteer told SHAN.