Yangon, July (29)
The number of people fleeing their homes has increased to more than 850,000 across Myanmar from February 1, when the military took power, to July 18, this year, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported on July 27.
UNOCHA estimates that 857,900 people have been forced to leave their homes as a consequence of the conflict and turmoil following the military takeover, bringing the total number of displaced persons to 1.2 million.
As of May, only about 600,000 people had left their homes as a result of the military takeover; however, in the months of June and July, the IDPs rose to more than 250,000.
Fighting between the junta army and ethnic armed groups has continued in many states and regions over the past week, making the situation intense and pushing up demand for humanitarian aid.
Further displacement took place with the conflict increasing between the junta army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, bordering Sagaing Region.
Additionally, UNOCHA has observed that since the clash has begun between the military council and the Arakan Army (AA) on July 18 in Maungdaw Township, northern Rakhine State, the security situation has deteriorated.
News – Than Lwin Times