A paralyzed elderly internally displaced person (IDP) was killed when a boulder fell from a mountain in the western part of Demoso Township, Karenni State. The incident occurred around 2 PM on April 28, when heavy rain caused a large boulder to fall onto a temporary shelter housing displaced families. The victim, who was over 70 years old and suffering from paralysis, was killed when the boulder struck the shelter, which was also partially destroyed in the incident.
According to a representative from Jobs For Kayan, six IDP family members were living in the shelter at the time of the incident. The residents were sleeping during the rainfall when the boulder came crashing down. The boulder bounced onto the shelter and directly hit the area where the elderly paralyzed man was resting. The representative noted that if the boulder had fallen directly onto the entire shelter, the consequences could have been even more devastating.
Jobs For Kayan has issued a warning to IDPs living near the mountainous areas, explaining that recent earthquake activity has weakened the stability of rocks on the mountainsides, increasing the risk of falling boulders during heavy rainfall. The situation highlights the multiple challenges faced by civilians who have been forced to flee their homes due to military council operations, as they now must contend with both conflict-related displacement and natural hazards. The safety and security of these displaced populations remain a serious concern as they continue to face various threats in their temporary living situations.
