{"id":65644,"date":"2004-06-08T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2004-06-08T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/freeburmarangers.org\/2004\/06\/08\/kler-lwe-htu-may-june-2004\/"},"modified":"2004-06-08T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2004-06-08T00:00:00","slug":"kler-lwe-htu-may-june-2004","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.freeburmarangers.org\/my\/2004\/06\/08\/kler-lwe-htu-may-june-2004\/","title":{"rendered":"Kler Lwe Htu May – June 2004"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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FBR Relief Mission: Kler Lwe Htu\/Nauglybin, Karen State, Burma: May 10 – June 3, 2004<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Karen State, Burma<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8 June, 2004<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Relief team treats IDP<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Team dirstributes Good Life Club materials<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Worship service with IDPs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Team distributing hymnals<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

This is the FBR Kler Lwe Htu Team (1) and (2) combined field-trip mission report. <\/p>\n

14 FBR team members and friends focused on Keh Der village area (Pay-tu-Sa-leh, Kyeh Ja and Mu-theh villages), Zone (2) in Hsaw Hti township and Ler Doh Downship.This is in far western KarenState, Burma. <\/p>\n

Introduction <\/p>\n

FBR Kler Lwe Htu Teams (1) and (2) joined together and planned to visit IDPs (Internally Displaced People) in Hsaw Hti Township Zone (2).\u00a0 After gathering their supplies in the beginning of May, the Burma Army troops took action in Ler Doh Township.\u00a0 The team shifted its focus area and planned the mission for Ler Doh Township. <\/p>\n

There are over 13,000 IDPs in our district and 3,550 in Ler Doh Township.\u00a0 The team visited Keh Der village area; Pay Tu, Sa Leh, Kyweh Ja, and Mu Theh villages.\u00a0 The team gave medical treatment to 725 IDPs (Internally Displaced People).
The Burma Army troops have been active in the area mentioned in the beginning of 2004 and have continued to move in the area up to the writing of this report. At present, villagers are still facing many difficulties and are living in fear.\u00a0 The Burma Army troops are LIB (388)(246) mobile troops and IB (60) base camp company.\u00a0 All troops are under the umbrella of MOC (3).
The team encouraged the IDPs and built understanding between people in the communities.\u00a0 The team helped them in any way they could. <\/p>\n

IDP Situation<\/span> <\/p>\n

The IDP situation has improved, but villagers still live in fear and face problems of food shortage, health, lack of education, and insufficient provisions for basic needs because of continuing Burma Army activities. <\/p>\n

Human Rights Violations
From May 2004, villagers in Mu Kee, Keh Der, Oo Keh Kee, Ta Kaw Der, Thaw Der and other villages have fled to the jungle three times.\u00a0 On 11 May 2004, around 1 pm, Burma Army Battalion LIB (368) mobile troops captured XX XXX (over 90 years old).\u00a0 They also destroyed one of Naw XX XX’s storehouse which held 16 sacks of rice paddy.\u00a0 The troops took all of her farming materials from the storehouse.
Beginning this year in the plains area, Pay-tu and Sal-eh villages, Burma Army Battalion LIB (60), based at Chein Ma Taung camp, asked villagers to come to their offices. One villager was required to go each day. The troops demanded chicken, pork, fish, and cigars, which costs villagers an estimated 500 Kyat per family per month to supply.\u00a0 Villagers reported that every time LIB (264) enters the village, they take two villagers to work as porters for a day.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

In Kyweh Ja village beginning this year, Burma Army IB (60) company, based at Aung-soe-moe, led by Sargeant Moe Kyaw, has demanded villagers to work for them to make a car road and provide security for a bridge.\u00a0 Two people must provide security daily, or they must hire two Burma Army soldiers for 1400 Kyat per day.
In Mu-theh village, Burma Army LIB 381 is led by captain Aung Kyaw Myit and based on Ka Baw Kyo Mountain. Burma Army LIB 383 is led by Htin Aung Kyaw and based at Ler Wah Kyo.\u00a0 These troops are under the control of MOC (2).\u00a0 The MOC commander is San Win Kaing.\u00a0 These troops often demand bamboo leaves from villagers.\u00a0 Recently, the soldiers have stolen one buffalo, three goats, eight ducks, and some chickens.\u00a0 The same troops cut down recently planted bamboo and trees and seem to show no respect for anyone, including the village headman. <\/p>\n

SPDC Activities <\/p>\n

In May 2004, Burma Army troops from Baw Ka Ta and Ka Baw Kyo were active three times in the Keh Der village area.\u00a0 The troops were: <\/p>\n

-LIB 388 mobile troop
-LIB 264 mobile troop
-LIB 381 Base at Kaw Baw Kyo camp
-LIB 383 Base at Ler Wah Kyo camp
-IB 60 Base at Aung Soe Moe and Chein Ma Taung.
Interviews<\/span> <\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Name – XX XX \/ Age – 32 \/ Religion – animist \/ Occupation – cultivator \/ Family status – 6 persons \/ nationality – Karen \/ Address – XX XX village.\u00a0 Interview date – 12 May 2004
She said she was hiding with her father in a barn (storehouse) on the west side of her village.\u00a0 Her father, Saw XX XXX, was 90 years old and could not see well.\u00a0 While she and her father were hiding, on 11 May 2004 at about 12:00, the Burma Army troops from LIB (388) came into her village.\u00a0 They found her hiding place and she ran out and left her father alone.\u00a0 The troops captured her father and took him away.\u00a0 She said she saw three of the Burma Army soldiers come toward the barn and then they took all of her household and farming materials and destroyed the barn as well.\u00a0 There were 16 sacks of paddy in the barn.\u00a0 The owner of the barn was Naw XX XX.\u00a0 It is assumed that Saw XX XXX was killed.
Name – Saw XXX x \/ Age – 47 \/ Religious – Animist \/ Occupation – Farmer \/ Family status – 5 persons \/ Nationality – Karen \/ Address – X X – X XX.\u00a0 Interview date 19 May 2004 (plains area) <\/p>\n

Saw XXX x was a village chief in X X and X XX, with 52 houses and 507 villagers.\u00a0 His villagers were under the control of Burma Army IB (60), based at Chein Ma Taung Camp.\u00a0 Because of this, his villagers are facing many problems.\u00a0 He said, “The Burma Army do not force villagers to be porters and demand money, but they still demand villagers to work for them, and to give food such as chicken, duck, pork, eggs, and cigars.”\u00a0 He also said that the camp commander ordered one of his villagers to go and wait in the Burma Army office each day.\u00a0 Moreover, the Burma Army LIB (264) mobile troops took two villagers to work for them for a day whenever they entered and left the village.\u00a0 During 2004, his villagers were forced to relocate close ro the Burma Army car road.\u00a0 The order came from the division commander.

<\/b>
Name – Saw XX X\/ Age – 46 \/ Religious – Christian \/ Occupation – farmer \/ Family status – 6 persons \/ Nationality – Karen \/ Address – XXXX \/ Interview date 20 May 2004. (plains area)
Saw XX X was a chief of XXXX village, with 219 villagers.\u00a0 His village is under the control of Burma Army IB (60) based at Aung Soe Moe camp, led by camp commander Mo Kyaw (sargeant).\u00a0 This company often demands that villagers build the car road, cut clearings on both sides of the car road, and provide security for a bridge close to the village.\u00a0 Every day, two villagers are responsible for bridge security.\u00a0 If they do not provide it, they must hire two Burma Army soldiers for 1400 Kyat per day.\u00a0 Moreover, he said the camp commander demands that two villagers go to the Burma Army office each day.\u00a0 He also said the Burma Army organizes villagers into women’s affairs groups and have them fill out an application form and pay 300 kyat.\u00a0 He took some villagers to be SDA (Security Development Association) members.\u00a0 If a villager works as SDA staff, they are free from all demands by the Burma Army.\u00a0 In 2004, one village was responsible for building 100 yards of car road fit for two cars to drive.\u00a0 These villagers face many problems. <\/p>\n


<\/b>
Distribution of Materials<\/span><\/p>\n

The team distributed Bibles, Hymnals, Picture Bibles, and Good Life Club packages to IDPs and they were very pleased. The team also donated some cash to help needy children.<\/p>\n

The IDPs that we visited were animist, Buddhist, and Christian.\u00a0 People of all religions were very kind, welcomed the team and invited the team to visit them again. <\/p>\n

Health and Education <\/p>\n

Education<\/x-tab><\/p>\n

The villagers that the team visited had very little education.\u00a0 Villagers in the plains area do have school, but they are not allowed to study or teach in their mother language. <\/p>\n

Health <\/p>\n

During the trip, the team found that many of the IDPs suffer from malaria, anemia, wounds, body pains, arthritis, asthma, gastric problems, ARI, abscesses, worm diarrhea, UTI vitamin A, dysentery, hypertension, and beri beri.\u00a0 The team prayed for and encouraged them and treated them.\u00a0 The team treated 725 persons and listed below is the breakdown of ailments treated –
1.\u00a0 malaria\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>164
2.\u00a0 anemia\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>129
3.\u00a0 wound\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0 51
4.\u00a0 body pain\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0 59
5.\u00a0 arthritis\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0 4
6.\u00a0 asthma\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0 7
7.\u00a0 gastric<\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab> 94
8.\u00a0 ARI\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab> 62
9.\u00a0 abscess\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab> 29
10. worm\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab> 31
11. diarrhea<\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab> 10
12. UTI\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0 7
13. vitamin. A deficiency\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0 8
14. dysentery\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab> 17
15. hypertension\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab> 19
16. beriberi<\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/x-tab> 34
Total Patients Treated:\u00a0 725 persons<\/b> <\/p>\n

Analysis<\/span><\/p>\n

The team was very sorry to see the villagers living in insecure conditions and unstable shelters.\u00a0 Despite their difficulties, the villagers are kind hearted and hospitable.\u00a0 The team loved their trip and would like to help the people consistently.<\/p>\n

-Two thirds of the villagers visited were Animist and Buddhist. They enjoyed the team and saw that the KNU (Karen National Union) stands up for them.\u00a0 Their hearts were full of happiness when they saw the team work hard for them.
-The team was able to organize people in the plains area and join hands more tightly with them to work harder for freedom.
-The team is sorry that they did not have enough medicine to complete the mission to their complete focus area. <\/p>\n

Conclusion <\/p>\n

The team visited eight places and treated 725 persons.\u00a0 The villagers visited faced insufficient medical treatment and a lack of food and clothing.\u00a0 They do not have enough educational materials The team could not help them at all without outside support.\u00a0 The team is very thankful and invites FBR leaders to come or to send help for the teams in this area to continue their work. <\/p>\n

To continue and strengthen the relief work, the teams need help and request FBR to consider this. <\/p>\n

The teams have a plan to visit areas where where no relief team or worker has ever gone.\u00a0 The teams in this area also have a plan to visit Hasw Hti Township Zone (2) and Moo Township.\u00a0 The teams again request that\u00a0 FBR leaders help to implement the Kler Lwe Htu team objectives and goals. <\/p>\n

“Fraternal love will step into our land of freedom land that we wish for and feed it.” <\/p>\n

Daily Report <\/p>\n

10 May 2004 – FBR team left district headquarters at 8 am and arrived at Ler Doh Township at 1:30 pm.\u00a0 The team was informed that the situation in Keh Der village area was bad.\u00a0 The team left their loads behind and went ahead. The loads followed the team two days later. <\/p>\n

11 May 2004 – The team left Ler Doh township at 7:30 am and arrived in XX XX village at 4:30 pm. <\/p>\n

12.5.2004 – At 8 am the team left XX XX village and went to XXX X village. There they met Naw X X, whose father was captured by Burma Army LIB 388 and interviewed her.\u00a0 They continued our trip to X XXX village to help Naw X X search for her father, but did not find him. The team arrived at No. 1 company camp and met No. 9 batallion commander and then returned to XX XX village. <\/p>\n

13 May 2004 – Waited for team loads at XX XX village. <\/p>\n

14 May 2004 – At 8 am, the team started medical treatment at XX XX village and gave good life club (GLC) packages to children. <\/p>\n

15 May 2004 –\u00a0 Met No. 1 company deputy commander to talk about the SPDC targets for operations in Keh Der and Kwi Lah village areas. <\/p>\n

16.5.2004 – The team left XX XX at 8:30 am and arrived at X XX at 11:30 am.\u00a0 They gave GLC packages and clothing to children and villagers. <\/p>\n

17 May 2004 – At 7 am the team left X XX village and arrived in No. 1 company frontline camp at 6 pm. <\/p>\n

18 May 2004 – The team stayed at No. 1 company frontline camp (xxxx) and waited for xxXX XX and X XX villagers to come for a meeting and medical treatment. <\/p>\n

19 May 2004 – At 8 am the team started our meeting for xxXX XX, X XX villagers and the No. 9 batallion commander gave a speech describing the current KNU (Karen National Union) political situation.\u00a0 KNDO (Karen National Defense Organization) No. 1 company commander, Saw XXX, gave an encouraging speech and the FBR team leader did the same.\u00a0 The team then gave medical treatment.\u00a0 At 2:50 pm, they left xxxx to another frontline camp (xx) and arrived at 4:15 pm. <\/p>\n

20 May 2004 – At 9 am the team started our meeting with X XX villagers and Captain XX XXX.\u00a0 The FBR team leader gave encouragement and explained our current situation.\u00a0 After that, the team started medical treatment and our medic treated villagers.
21 May 2004 – Left XX XXX (Tha Ya Goe) return to xxxx. <\/p>\n

22 May 2004 – Rest at xxxx. <\/p>\n

23 May 2004 – At 6:30 am, the team left xxxx and returned to xx xx village.\u00a0 They arrived at xx xx farm at 6 pm. <\/p>\n

24 May 2004 – Today the team arrived back at xx xxx village and waited for materials. <\/p>\n

25 May 2004 – At 9 am the materials arrived and the team started our work to encourage and give medical treatment until 2 pm.\u00a0 The team then returned to XX XXXx\u00a0 village. <\/p>\n

26 May 2004 – At 8 am, the team started giving medical treatment.\u00a0 They left the village at 11:15 am to go to xx xxxX village, arriving at 2 pm and then giving medical treatment.\u00a0 The team discussed with Saw xx xx about continuing our trip to XXXXXX.
27 May 2004 – The team continued to treat villagers in XX XX village and at 8 am, left this village and went to XXXX X.\u00a0 They met XXX X tract secretary and arranged a meeting with XXX villagers.\u00a0 They also gave Bibles and hymnals for their Church.
28 May 2004 – At 8:14 am the FBR relief team held a meeting for XXXX X villagers,\u00a0 and the KNDO platoon commander Saw XXX. The FBR team leader explained our current situation and encouraged villagers. <\/p>\n

29 May 2004 – The team gave medical treatment in X XX village from 8 am to 1:15 pm and then returned to XXX XX at 1:50 pm. <\/p>\n

30 May 2004 – The team rested at XXXX KNDO company no. 1 camp. <\/p>\n

31 May 2004 – At 8:15 am the team started a first aid workshop.\u00a0 Medic Saw X and Saw X X X explained first aid.\u00a0 16 people attended the workshop. <\/p>\n

1 June 2004 – At 12 pm the team went to a wedding at XXX X village. <\/p>\n

2 June 2004 – At 6:30 am the team left XXX X, and at 10:20 hours had lunch at No. 9 battalion headquarter.\u00a0 They left the battalion at 11:09 am and arrived at Ler Doh township headquarter at 2:30 pm.\u00a0 The team slept there. <\/p>\n

3 June 2004 – At 6:30 am the team left Township HQ and arrived back at Kler Lwe Htu District Headquarters at 11:50 am. <\/p>\n

ENDS<\/p>\n