Karen State

A Canadian charity and the Karen National Union launched Karen State’s first modern teaching hospital this weekend. The 24-bed, Taw Naw Teaching Hospital will train local healthcare practitioners and help boost local public health services, according to Global Neighbors Canada Inc. Padoh Saw Eh K’lu Shwe Oo, head of Karen State’s Department of Health and Welfare, said the Taw Naw…

Tourists are increasingly finding their way to a unique enclave in Kayin (Karen) State where the Telaku Karen live, village elders told KIC news. The Telaku village in Hpa-an township is home to just over three dozen members of the sub-group of the Karen people. Though the residents live just 30 minutes from the state capital, they have kept fairly…

After extensive discussions and over a week of debates, the Karen National Union finally has a new charter setting out its governing principles and administration. The KNU, one of the major ethnic armed groups to have signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) in 2015, is holding its 16th national congress in Lay Wah (also known as Law Khee Lar) in…

Hundreds of people have been swarming the passport issuing office in the Karen State capital on a daily basis, according to a police chief. He attributed the demand, which increased at the beginning of this year, to a lack of jobs in Myanmar as most of the passport applicants are headed to Thailand or Korea in search of work. “The…

The installation of cable cars on Karen State’s famous and symbolic, Zwekabin Mountain is to start in February after investing companies have signed agreement on January 12, 2017. The two companies who will run the projects are the Zwekabin Myay Development Company that was founded and managed by followers of the Zwekabin Temple monk, U Kawi Daza and Chit Lin…

A path has opened for environmental conservationists and rights advocates to strengthen their fight against gold mining and other socially and environmentally destructive projects in the rich forests of Karen State in eastern Myanmar: the Salween Peace Park. The 5,200-sq-km Peace Park is a radical initiative to create an indigenous-led sanctuary to protect indigenous cultural heritage and endangered wildlife. Located…

Medic Saw Baw Mu Say puts on his rubber gloves and says as he prepares to start cleaning a cut on a patients admitted to the Law Mu Thaw-Ler Mu Per Clinic. “We have treated more than 500 people in less than two months after opening the clinic.” Saw Baw Mu Say reaches for dressings from his simple three story-wooden…

The Karen National Union (KNU) met with officials from the Karen State Government to discuss cooperation on solving ongoing and future land issues on 6 December at the Karen State Government office. Karen State Government officials including the Security and Border Affairs Minister Colonel Aung Lwin and the Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation Minister Saw Myint Oo met with the KNU…

The Karen national flag flown in front of a primary school in the dual administration areas of Win Ye Township was taken down by Burma Army soldiers operating in the areas. Local KNU officials confirmed to Karen News that the incident took place on November 11, at Konekhaing (Koekaw) village in Win Ye Township in the Karen National Union’s Doo…

The Karen State government is now making arrangements for the first return of 96 residents – 19 families – who have been living in refugee camps on the Thai border. The families are set to cross the Thai-Burma Friendship Bridge tomorrow. Nan Khin Htwe Myint, Chief Minister of Karen State on October 25, visited temporary accommodation for the returning refugees,…