Two More Relief Camps Opened for Flood Victims in Hpa-an

After second flooding hit the Karen State’s capital Hpa-an, two more relief camps have been opened in the city and the number of flood victims has increased by over 1,000, the Karen State Department of Disaster Management’s director U Lin Htut said.

“The floodwater rose again so two more relief camps have been opened. The number of flood victims has increased by over 1,000 in addition to the existing flood victims. We have food supplies that were donated by the donors,” he told Karen News on August 15.

Sixteen relief camps were opened in Hpa-an Township after it was hit by its worst flood from July 27 to August 5. Only five relief camps remained after the floodwater receded.

B.E.H.S (3) Hpa-an and Mae Baung relief camps have been opened after the second flooding hit the city on August 13 and over 4,000 people are currently taking shelter in seven relief camps, according to the State Department of Disaster Management.

Heavy rain and rise of the Than Lwin (Salween) River and the Thaung Yin (Moei) River triggered heavy flooding in Hlaingbwe, Myawaddy, Hpa-an, Kawkareik, Kyainseikgyi, and Hpapun townships in the Karen State since July 22.

According to statistics collected up to July 31, 53 relief camps were opened in the Karen State due to the flooding – 16 camps in Hpa-an Township, 23 camps in Hlaingbwe Township, two camps in Myawaddy Township, one camp in Hpapun Township, and four camps in Kyainseikgyi Township. These relief camps provided shelter to 37,699 people from 7,668 households.