In Thayetchaung Township, Tanintharyi Region, some internally displaced people from lower villages who had fled to safe areas have begun returning to their homes as phone connections have been restored and the fighting situation has calmed down.
According to aid groups and residents, although the security situation remains unstable, some residents from more than 20 villages who had been displaced since February have returned to their homes due to ongoing livelihood difficulties.
“Some areas have regained phone service, so displaced people are returning to their villages. However, some are still hesitant to return and are waiting to see how the situation develops. There are also villages where people still cannot return at all,” said a person assisting displaced people in Tanintharyi.
Displaced residents from 12 villages, including Sonsinhpyar, Sonsin, Chaungwapyin, Thayetpinaing, Yaechochaung, Gonhnyinseik, Sitaw, Sitet, Theachochaungthar, Winwa, Mindat and Kanetthiri villages, are still unable to return home.
Since early February, around 5,000 residents from areas along the Myeik- Dawei Union Highway in Thayetchaung Township have been displaced and sheltered in forests, plantations and safer places.
After the military junta regained control of the Winwa base along the Myeik-Dawei Union Highway, junta troops occupied civilian homes in some villages and took valuables and food supplies for their own use.
“They cannot return because soldiers are staying in civilian homes, searching houses and taking whatever they find. They eat any food they see and even cook and eat stored rice. We are only lucky that the house has not been burned down,” said a displaced woman.
Currently, around 500 displaced people from 12 villages in Thayetchaung Township are receiving healthcare assistance from aid groups, resistance forces and local organisations.
Junta troops are reportedly carrying out daily operations in Thayetchaung Township, while local resistance joint forces continue daily drone attacks.
