Karen State

A resident of Kyondoe Town in Kawkreik Township told Karen News the increasing price of firewood, charcoal, and candles in Karen State has put a huge financial burden on local people. Some households are unable to afford to buy these essential household items. The country’s electricity distribution has been reduced with frequent outages, forcing people to use firewood and charcoal…

Karen State official figures show 5,903 students from seven townships have registered for this year’s matriculation exams. A source close to the Myawaddy Township Education office explained to Karen News. “Before the Covid-19 period, there were 1,894 10th grade students in Myawaddy in the 2019-2020 academic year. There were more than 400 outside school candidates. This academic year, there were…

Padoh Saw Diamond Khin, head of the Karen Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW), explained the Omicron variant – the fourth wave of Covid-19 – is on the increase in many parts of Burma, including Karen State, protocols and restriction to prevent the spread of the infection have been revised by districts health officials in KNU-controlled areas. Padoh Saw Diamond…

Charcoal sellers said city residents and villagers that had access to electricity have been experiencing regular power outages, with most ordinary people having to rely on charcoal for cooking, charcoal traders are facing increased demands for charcoal. A charcoal trader in Hpa-an told Karen News. “Now, the electricity supply is not running regularly. If there is no electricity, we rely…

The six-chapter report – Military Atrocities and Civilian Resilience – highlighted security for civilians in rural areas in southeastern Burma deteriorated in the first six months of the military coup, and human rights abuses escalated causing thousands of villagers to be displaced. Naw Htoo Htoo, KHRG’s Program Director said at the release of the report on November 24, the Burma…

By Saw Greh Moo* Since the beginning of the coup, some KNU’s military brigades, especially Brigade 1 and 5, openly sided with anti-coup protestors and engaged in intense fighting with the Burma Army. As a result, fighting between the KNU and Burma Army’s troops was confined to these Brigades. Since recent developments all KNU’s seven Brigades and districts have experienced…

Parents in rural areas of Karen State said they are unable to get their children immunized during Covid-19 outbreaks and because of the chaos caused by the military coup. A Kawkareik Township resident told Karen News children due to get their vaccinations are unable to do so as health centers, hospitals and clinics are closed. The Kawkareik Township resident explained…

On July 27, 2021, more than 3,000 households were affected by floodwaters, especially those houses located near or on the banks of Thaung Yin (Moei) River. The Thaung Yin (Moei) River marks the international border between Burma and Thailand. With continuous rains, the water level in Thaung Yin (Moei) River has risen above dangerous level and continues to rise. More…

Nan Khin Lin, a pharmacy shop owner in Hpa-an said people facing Covid-19’s third wave, are worried pharmacies would close, so they started hoarding medicine. Added to people’s concerns are that drugs companies have also stopped their distribution, creating shortages of medicine. Speaking to Karen News, Nan Khin Lin said she was concerned by the effect both factors would have…

Saw Lin Htet was arrested by Burma’s security forces on March 23, 2021 while travelling home from a community meeting with villagers. Saw Lin Htet, a Karen youth activist is based in Hpa-An and was involved in many community works in the area. Close friends said security forces arrested him when he was coming back from a meeting in Don…