2 July 2026 – More than 1,000 residents fleeing Khampat town and surrounding areas are confronting acute food and shelter shortages in Kalay township, Sagaing Region, as intensified military operations continue to force civilians from their homes.
The recent displacement follows a surge in ground offensives and airstrikes launched by the State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC) military along the strategic Kalay-Tamu Road since early June.
With rising living costs making housing largely unaffordable, many displaced families have sought sanctuary in local churches. Aid workers on the ground report that some of these religious institutions are currently hosting hundreds of displaced individuals, with several facilities accommodating as many as 500 people.
Khampat, situated on a critical India-Myanmar trade corridor, has remained a flashpoint since November 2023, when it was initially captured by resistance forces aligned with the National Unity Government (NUG). Military efforts to retake the area have since resulted in ongoing combat in various sectors.
This current influx worsens a protracted humanitarian crisis in Kalay, which has served as a refuge for displaced persons from across Chin State and adjacent regions for an extended period.
The continuous stream of civilians seeking safety has placed immense and growing pressure on local communities and established aid networks, which often struggle to maintain essential food and health assistance for the vulnerable—particularly the elderly, pregnant women, and children.
Humanitarian organizations have previously noted that establishing formal camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) is frequently not feasible in this environment, often leaving new arrivals in precarious, temporary, or informal living conditions. – Reporting by Daniel
