U.N. Fears over Myanmar Civilians in Fresh Kachin Unrest
10/26/2013 9:09:26 AM
The United Nations has expressed serious concern for hundreds of Myanmar civilians, many of them children, trapped in a conflict zone in northern Kachin state amid renewed clashes between the army and rebels.
It said over a thousand displaced people are thought to be running short of food after being caught in a new bout of fighting between troops and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Mansi township in recent days, despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
"I am seriously concerned about the civilians being caught in any crossfire, especially children and the elderly," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar Ashok Nigam in a statement released late Friday.
Conflict in Kachin, near the northern border with China, broke out in June 2011 when a 17-year ceasefire crumbled. It has displaced some 100,000 people.
"Hostilities must cease," said Nigam of the Mansi fighting, adding that aid agencies should be allowed access to civilians in the area, who are deemed "in urgent need of assistance".
The UN said local aid groups were now unable to reach the displaced there and have reported that they "have only food for a few days".
It said over a thousand displaced people are thought to be running short of food after being caught in a new bout of fighting between troops and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Mansi township in recent days, despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
"I am seriously concerned about the civilians being caught in any crossfire, especially children and the elderly," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar Ashok Nigam in a statement released late Friday.
Conflict in Kachin, near the northern border with China, broke out in June 2011 when a 17-year ceasefire crumbled. It has displaced some 100,000 people.
"Hostilities must cease," said Nigam of the Mansi fighting, adding that aid agencies should be allowed access to civilians in the area, who are deemed "in urgent need of assistance".
The UN said local aid groups were now unable to reach the displaced there and have reported that they "have only food for a few days".