CTER staff on the ground delivered food assistance to an IDP camp in eastern Demoso Township. Several months ago, CTER purchased and collected paddy rice from local residents as part of a community-based support initiative. The rice has now been processed and redistributed to internally displaced persons (IDPs) facing urgent food shortages to meet immediate operational requirements.
A bio-sand filtration system was installed in an IDP camp to improve access to safe and better-quality water. Prior to the installation, community members and students relied directly on untreated stream water containing limestone and sediment. Using locally available resources, the filtration system effectively minimizes waste materials and limits local community health liabilities.
Junta military troops have launched operations toward villages in the eastern part of Hpruso Township, forcing more civilians to flee their homes. More than 200 villagers were displaced a few days ago, and now over 1,000 additional residents have reportedly fled and are in urgent need of emergency support. According to reports from the ground, no humanitarian assistance has reached the displaced communities so far due to ongoing security concerns. CTER has attempted to reach the affected areas; however, some locations remain inaccessible. Reports also indicate that some residents are still trapped in their villages and are unable to flee due to the security situation.
Military junta troops based in Hpruso Township have launched a military operation toward villages in the eastern part of the township, forcing local residents to flee their homes. The troops reportedly advanced into the area on May 7 at around 10:30 a.m. and, as of today, remain stationed near the village without withdrawing. Residents said the situation remains tense as junta forces continue operating near civilian areas. During the military operation, a local man who went to his farm reportedly went missing and has not returned home. Approximately 200 villagers have been displaced by the operation and are currently taking temporary shelter in nearby villages and forested areas where they believe it is safer.
Recent reports indicate that displaced communities in eastern Demoso are facing compounded challenges following a severe storm that struck one week ago, destroying more than 50 houses. In parallel, a critical water shortage is affecting IDPs camps across the area. The rising cost of fuel has significantly constrained the ability of displaced households to transport water, thereby limiting access to safe and sufficient water for daily use. This has placed an additional burden on communities that are already experiencing economic hardship. A CTER field reporter said, Even water for cooking is not sufficiently available, and many residents are forced to borrow water from others. Community members have also requested us to find donor who can assist with water transportation. According to local residents, water donations are infrequent and have only been provided once this year. During such occasions, each household receives approximately five containers of water. Those who are able to purchase water pay around 35,000 kyat for a 1,000-liter tank; however, many households cannot afford this cost. In 2024, CTER established a water pipeline and storage tank system to supply water from a nearby lake to the village. However, due to current dry season conditions, the lake has dried up, rendering the system non-functional and leaving communities without a reliable water source.
During this summer, CTER staff, in collaboration with partner organizations, hosted and participated in several workshops and training sessions to strengthen their capacity. It is essential that we continue to enhance our skills and knowledge in order to effectively support and connect with communities on the ground. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the donor and partner organizations for their valuable support in making these meaningful trainings possible. We believe that sustained coordination and collaboration will enable us to create meaningful and positive impact within the communities in which we work.
In recent days in Demoso, Karenni State, houses belonging to internally displaced persons (IDPs) were already damaged, and with the ongoing severe weather, some houses have collapsed. According to ground reports, many shelters had already been affected earlier in the week, and on April 23, an additional five houses were reported damaged. Additionally, rain has damaged certain crops and seeds, while strong winds have caused trees to fall, blocking roads and destroying more than 50 houses. A volunteer staff member said, “the winds are strong, and our building’s roof was destroyed. Many houses in the IDPs camp were also affected.” Shelters in IDPs camps are typically temporary structures made of bamboo frames, bamboo walls, and tarpaulin, making them highly vulnerable to severe weather conditions.
With the financial support of donors and the voluntary contribution of the local community, we successfully completed the installation of a water pipeline connecting the water source to the village and installed a Bio-Sand Filtration system for the residents of Shadaw. This initiative aims to improve access to safe and clean drinking water for the community. Since the military coup in 2021, Shadaw Township has been one of the most affected areas, forcing many residents to flee their homes and seek shelter in the jungle. Although some residents have returned to their villages over the past year, they continue to face serious challenges, particularly the lack of access to clean and sufficient water. Many households currently rely on unsafe and contaminated water sources, which has led to the spread of skin diseases and other health problems, especially during the summer season when water shortages become more severe. Children and elderly people are particularly vulnerable to these health risks. Therefore, the installation of a reliable water supply system and the Bio-Sand Filtration system is essential to ensure access to safe water and to improve the overall health and well-being of the community.
Displaced communities are facing a severe water crisis, as the rising cost of goods, petrol, and gas makes it increasingly difficult to afford the fuel needed to transport and distribute water to areas in need. In previous years, the majority of displaced people depended on water donations from organizations and individual donors, who transported water from available sources. However, these efforts are now being significantly constrained by escalating fuel costs and shortages. Residents report that in Demoso Township, Karenni State, the price of petrol has risen to as high as 10,000 kyats per liter. In some cases, prices exceed this level or fuel becomes completely unavailable. This marks the highest fuel price recorded since the military coup. The fuel crisis has severely disrupted the normal operation of clinics and hospitals and has also impacted WASH services, particularly for communities in urgent need of safe and accessible water.
Photos by : Kantarawaddy Times
Children and young people in Somo Preh Soe Leh are suffering from a widespread and severe skin disease and are in urgent need of immediate medical support, as reported by a medic currently working in the area. The critical shortage of medicine has left many civilians, especially children, suffering from this skin disease without any adequate treatment.
On 21 November 2025, at around 9 a.m., the junta carried out three airstrikes in three different locations in the Mawchi area, resulting in the deaths of five men and injuries to several civilians. According to a local resident, “Around 9 a.m., while it was snowing heavily, a jet fighter flew over us and dropped about four bombs.” A humanitarian worker from Jobs for Kayah said, “All five of the deceased are men. The exact number of injured people is still unknown, but some elderly women were among those wounded.” The Mawchi region is an area with no active clashes, yet it continues to suffer repeated airstrikes. More than 30 civilians have already been killed in these attacks.
Ongoing clashes in the eastern part of Loikaw have intensified, creating additional challenges for displaced families. Many IDPs households are unable to harvest all the paddy they cultivated due to the insecurity and the fighting moved closer to them. According to one resident, he was forced to abandon his paddy field after harvesting only half of it and flee to another location. He still needs to harvest his corn as well, but the ongoing clashes have made it too dangerous for him to return to his fields. He said, “Drones and artillery shells constantly pass above us while we try to harvest the paddy. The sounds of explosions and gunfire are very close, and we hear every day. Even while working in the fields, we never feel safe, and at any moment we may have to run for our lives.” Similar situations have been reported by other families, who fear returning to their fields because of the ongoing clashes, drone attacks, and the constant risk of being caught.
Dozens of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have fled from their previous camp and are now sheltering in makeshift huts around Loikaw, Karenni State. The group arrived about a week ago, setting up temporary shelters with tarpaulins and forest materials in random spots, as they have no specific place to settle. Most families fled quickly amid renewed fighting, leaving behind their belongings and unharvested paddy fields. Living conditions in the new camp are extremely poor — shelters are fragile, the area is muddy, and essential supplies such as food, clean water, and medicine remain scarce.
Dozens of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have fled from their previous camp and are now sheltering in makeshift huts around Loikaw, Karenni State. The group arrived about a week ago, setting up temporary shelters with tarpaulins and forest materials in random spots, as they have no specific place to settle. Most families fled quickly amid renewed fighting, leaving behind their belongings and unharvested paddy fields. Living conditions in the new camp are extremely poor — shelters are fragile, the area is muddy, and essential supplies such as food, clean water, and medicine remain scarce.
CTER has delivered emergency food assistance and shelter support to newly arrived internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Karenni State. As the junta’s military offensives continue to intensify across the region, more civilians have been forced to flee their homes, seeking safety in temporary shelters and displacement sites. The growing number of IDPs has resulted in increasing humanitarian needs, including food, hygiene kits, shelter materials, and essential household items.
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On September 11, 2025, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the junta launched artillery strikes in a village in Demoso, killing three civilians; a father, a mother, and a grandmother from the same family and injuring the remaining children. According to reports from the ground, “The artillery strikes hit their house. Who would have thought that three people from the same family would die at the same time? It is so inhumane.” Daily clashes continue between the military junta forces and resistance groups in Demoso, with the junta also continuing to carry out airstrikes, artillery bombardments, and drone attacks targeting civilians.
Following the military offensives on September 2 in Demoso and Hpruso, thousands of civilians from these villages were forced to flee to nearby IDPs camps, seeking safety from the sudden attacks, and are in urgent need of food and shelter. According to local sources, many left their homes in rush, unable to carry even basic necessities such as rice, cooking oil, salt, or clothes, as the junta launched heavy weapons targeting their villages. Due to artillery and drone attacks by the junta, hundreds of acres of paddy and other agricultural fields have been abandoned. Since fleeing their homes, the affected families have yet to receive any humanitarian assistance, according to a local woman. Daily clashes continue between the military junta forces and resistance groups in Demoso, putting local communities at ongoing risk.
