Human cost of Myanmar's war escalates
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ALynn/ Thant Zin (NP News) - Sep 18
According to information reported by NP News , people living in cities that have not yet experienced warfare have expressed growing concerns about the possibility of war after learning about its negative consequences.
Due to ongoing conflicts triggered by the MNDAA, TNLA, AA, and PDF, many people have fled war-torn areas, leaving their homes behind.
The MNDAA's attack on Lashio, a major city in northern Shan State, forced thousands of residents to abandon their homes and possessions, seeking safety elsewhere and running for their life.
An internally displaced person who fled Lashio shared their experience of the situation there. He said, "We've lost everything. All the pots, houses, and land we've accumulated over the years are gone. I don't even expect to get them back. And even if we stay, it's not going to be easy. People can go wherever they want, whenever they want, and drive their vehicles the wrong way if they feel like it. We're scared of this kind of democracy. "
"In Loikaw, there's a lot of work to be done for reconstruction. That’s disheartening. Some people are going through similar situations. Friends from other places, like Lashio and elsewhere, have reached out to tell us about it. From what they said, the places affected by war are in a very bad situation. They're suffering a lot, and there’s no time to fix things. When there's no time to fix things, it affects their entire lives—their families and livelihoods are ruined. Because of that, they are going through a lot of emotional distress and significant losses. In our area, we haven’t reached that stage yet. But if it does happen, no matter how much we prepare, the first thing we’ll experience from war is loss," he said.
Despite being considered Myanmar's safest city, Yangon is experiencing growing concerns about the war. People fleeing conflict from across the country are also seeking refuge in the city, which is the nation's most populous and economically significant urban center.
A resident of Yangon said that wars bring no benefit to the people, and that towns and villages that have been subjected to battles face significant losses and sufferings. Even in the post-conflict period, they may encounter various difficulties including reconstruction efforts.
As a citizen, he expressed that he prefers to resolve the nation's crisis through negotiation rather than conflict.
"As a citizen, I want to urge that these political issues be resolved through dialogue as much as possible. The reason is that war causes great losses for both sides. What’s worse is that the people end up becoming the collateral damage. Schools get shut down, job opportunities are lost, and people are forced to leave the homes and places they’ve lived in their entire lives. Everything is lost. Right now, it’s the same in Rakhine. It’s the same in all areas where there’s conflict. When conflicts arise, I want them to be handled through negotiation and dialogue. Resolving things through war isn’t good in the short term or the long term. Lives are lost, and there are many losses. So, I sincerely hope they find a solution through dialogue and negotiation as much as possible. Most importantly, I want to say that they should focus on the people," he said, expressing his wishes as a citizen.