Karen State, Burma
30 December, 2008
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Over 200 displaced villagers fled last week in Kyauk Kyi (Ler Doh) Township, Nyaunglebin District, as Burma Army attacks yet again threatened their hiding sites.
Relief Continues for Hundreds of Newly Displaced
Images Sent by the Relief Team
Update — Burma Army Supplies Movements
Interviews with Prisoner Porters
Additional details of the latest attack
From Previous Reports
Relief Continues for Hundreds of Newly Displaced as Teams Complete December Mission.
Over 200 displaced villagers fled last week in Kyauk Kyi (Ler Doh) Township, Nyaunglebin District, as Burma Army attacks yet again threatened their hiding sites. Two Burma Army columns swept areas of central Nyaunglebin District, beginning on 21 December, 2008. Although their situation is tenuous, villagers have now been able to return to their former hiding sites as Karen Resistance soldiers have forced the attacking troops back to their camps. The area, which had just been visited by three multi-ethnic FBR relief team comprised of Arakan, Chin, Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Pa’O, and Shan team members, is now being assisted by the local Karen FBR team which has been able to provide relief, medical treatment and encouragement. The teams have reported that the Burma Army plans to continue their activity in the area, and displaced villagers remain constantly ready to flee further attacks.
Note: additional details of the attack follow the report below
Throughout the month of December, Free Burma Ranger Relief Teams conducted relief missions in different ares of Burma. This report covers missions in Nyaunglebin and part of Muthraw (Papun) Districts, Karen State, Eastern Burma. The Free Burma Ranger teams have been providing medical care, tarps, clothes and blankets to families in need. The teams also provided education and encouragement via the Good Life Club program. Each team documented the humanitarian situation and human rights violations committed by the Burma Army. Relief team medics have treated 1855 patients in 11 different villages. The Good Life Club has given out over 1000 t-shirts, taught hygiene and anatomy classes as well as many songs, and built 6 toilets for 6 different villages that had none.
The diverse team of Arakan, Chin, Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Pa’O, and Shan have all had the privilege of sharing this time of celebration and thanksgiving with the people here. We have seen that despite the Burma Army’s attempt to terrorize the Karen villagers, whether it be the grandfather who has fled more than 100 times or the 14 year old shot down before he had the chance, the people here remain undefeated, choosing instead to be thankful for every new day and celebrate with joy this Christmas season.
Thank you for your prayers and all that you have done to support the Internally Displaced People of Burma.
A relief team leader.
Free Burma Rangers
Northern Karen State
Burma