(UCAN): Church groups are helping evacuate and shelter hundreds of civilians as fighting escalated in conflict-stricken Myanmar.
At least 600 people, mostly Catholics, have taken refuge inside the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and a catechist’s centre Lashio in after fleeing from surrounding areas in northern Shan state where intense fighting between military and rebel forces has been ongoing since October 26.
Edward, a social worker from the Diocese of Lashio, said, “The Church is trying to provide humanitarian assistance to them with Lenten contributions and help from the diocese.”
Hundreds of others took shelter in Baptist churches and Buddhist monasteries in Lashio and were helped by civil society groups and private donors, he said on November 8.
Edward, who goes by one name, said the Church workers were also providing cash assistance through the local parish priests in some areas they could not reach out to due to the fighting.
A parish in Hsenwi town which is part of the Diocese of Lashio was abandoned by priests, nuns, and parishioners after the Catholic Church and convent were damaged due to shelling and an airstrike.
“There were no casualties as the priests and nuns had taken refuge at a nearby safe place,” a church source, who requested anonymity, said, adding that communication was down except for one mobile network and it was difficult to know the situation on the ground in most conflict areas.
Nearly a thousand people were trapped while on their way from Laukkai, near the China border, to Lashio, BBC Burmese reported on November 8.
The United Nations has expressed alarm at the escalating situation in Myanmar due to the new fighting in the last two weeks.
Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that since October 26, nearly 33,000 men, women and children have been displaced. This is causing humanitarian needs to surge
“Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that since October 26, nearly 33,000 men, women and children have been displaced. This is causing humanitarian needs to surge,” UN secretary-general’s spokesperson, Stephance Dujarrice, told reporters on November 6.
Fighting intensified in the northern Shan state after the so-called three brothers alliance group – Ta’ang National Liberation Army, Arakan Army and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army–launched a campaign codenamed “Operation 1027.”
The group has reportedly claimed more than 100 military posts and four towns including Chinshwehaw which is close to the Chinese border.
“If the government does not effectively manage the incidents happening in the border region, the country will be split into various parts,” Myint Swe, president pro tem of the State Administration Council, told a national defense and security council meeting held in the capital, Naypyidaw, on November 8.
Meanwhile, China has called for a ceasefire to bring stability along the border region. Beijing confirmed on November 7 that there have been Chinese casualties due to a military ordinance going over the border.
Analysts see the new fighting in Shan state as the biggest challenge for the military junta since the 2021 coup.
