‘Where should I flee next?’: Fighting and displacement in Doo Tha Htoo, Kler Lwee Htoo and Mu Traw districts, December 2020 to January 2021
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Introduction
The signing of the 2012 preliminary ceasefire, followed by the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in 2015 resulted in an overall improvement of the human rights and security situation in Doo Tha Htoo [Thaton], Kler Lwee Htoo [Nyaunglebin] and Mu Traw [Hpapun] districts. However, KHRG’s documentation shows that sporadic skirmishes between armed actors have continued to occur over the last few years, mainly in the context of military road construction activities in Mu Traw and Kler Lwee Htoo districts.
Kler Lwee Htoo District Situation Update: Gold mining activities, COVID-19 and access to electricity in Moo Township, August 2020 to October 2020
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This Situation Update describes events that occurred in Moo [Mone] Township, Kler Lwee Htoo [Nyaunglebin] District between August 2020 and October 2020. Gold mining activities along the Klaw Myaw, Puh Loh Kloh and Kaw Ka Loh Kloh rivers have caused water pollution and now threaten the livelihood of entire villages. In government-defined Kyaukkyi Township, vulnerable households received financial support from the Myanmar government to cope with the difficulties caused by the COVID-19[1] pandemic, but local authorities diverted some of the support money. In H - village tract,[2] local villagers were required to pay for the installation of electric posts even though they cannot afford this expense.[3]
Southeast Myanmar Field Report: COVID-19, armed conflict, killings and sexual violence, July to December 2020
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Introduction
This Field Report analyses information collected by KHRG field researchers during the period between July and December 2020.
As the COVID-19[1] pandemic entered into the second wave of infections in August, rural communities in Southeast Myanmar faced new and increased restrictions that impacted their livelihood situation. Unable to access their plantations because of local lockdowns, sell their cash crops and goods, or find work as day labourers, many rural villagers are struggling to find alternatives to provide for their families. Although some financial and material aid is being provided by the Myanmar government, the Karen National Union (KNU),[2] and other organisations, that aid remains uneven in its distribution, often failing to reach those most in need. Access to education has also been heavily impacted by the second wave of COVID-19. Ongoin
Mu Traw District Situation Update: The Tatmadaw repeatedly fired large numbers of mortars into civilian areas and burned forests in Lu Thaw Township, January 2020 to April 2020
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This Situation Update describes events that occurred in Lu Thaw Township, Mu Traw [Hpapun] District between January 2020 and April 2020.[1] While patrolling and guarding their road construction, the Tatmadaw[2] based in northern Lu Thaw Township repeatedly fired mortars and burned the forests where villagers work to secure their livelihoods. There were no known casualties, but these activities damaged lands and frightened villagers living in six different village tracts[3] in Lu Thaw Township, forcing some to flee to other areas. The Tatmadaw also transported rations and soldiers to their army camps, thus reinforcing their troops, in direct violation of Section 5(c) of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).[4]