Severe Skin Disease Outbreak Hits Displaced People in Salin; Urgent Medical Aid Needed
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Salin Township, Magway Region, are suffering from a severe skin disease outbreak exacerbated by acute water shortages and ongoing military offensives, according to the Salin Township People’s Administration Body.
The skin infections have plagued the displaced community for over two years, but the situation has reached a critical point due to the lack of medical supplies and recent junta incursions. Infants under one year old are among those severely affected.
“We are facing extreme difficulties in providing treatment due to the shortage of medicine,” an official from the Salin Township People’s Administration (Pa-A-Fa) told CJ Platform. “Everything is scarce in these conflict-affected areas. Two mountain villages were recently torched by junta forces and hit with 500lb bombs. We found cases among men and children of all ages in one village, and many youths in the mountain areas are also showing symptoms. However, since many are hiding in remote forest farms, not everyone can reach us for medical help.”
The administration is currently working to systematically collect data on the total number of infected IDPs.
In January alone, over 8,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes in Salin Township due to heavy artillery fire, airstrikes, and ground offensives by the military junta.
Residents from 18 villages, including Shartaw, Kyauk Ye Tone, Auk Hlaing, Pan Tain Kone, Ka Nyat, Naung Taw Gyi, Naung Taw Lay, U Yin Su, Pan Taw, and Kyauk Khe Kone, are currently in hiding. Aid groups emphasize that these displaced populations are in desperate need of emergency food and medical assistance.
Note: This news has been translated and presented using AI.