Emergency Response in Hpruso in Karenni State (life-saving food assistance)

Opening

In March 2026, military operations intensified in the western part of Hpruso Township, Karenni State, as armed forces advanced into the area. Escalating airstrikes and artillery shelling forced 357 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from 67 households in Pray Taw Village to undertake an emergency relocation to a safer location away from active conflict.

To protect themselves from aerial attacks, displaced families sought temporary refuge in forested and mountainous areas. However, they faced significant challenges, including the lack of adequate shelter, insufficient food supplies, and heightened protection risks, particularly for women and girls.

Community Needs

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According to field monitoring findings, among the many urgent needs identified during the displacement, the two highest priorities were food assistance and emergency shelter materials. As widely recognized, the absence of shelter exposes affected populations to harsh weather conditions and environmental hazards, while the lack of food directly threatens their survival and well-being. Without a timely response to these critical needs, affected families would face increasing difficulties in sustaining their livelihoods and maintaining a life with dignity.

Triple-T Response

To address these urgent humanitarian needs, Triple-T mobilized and responded within one week of the displacement.

Triple-T members on the ground worked closely with the IDP Committee, local village leaders, and IEC humanitarian staff operating in Hpruso Township to provide assistance to 357 displaced individuals from 67 households. The response included life-saving food assistance consisting of rice, cooking oil, and chickpeas, as well as tarpaulins for roofing and shelter protection materials to support the construction of temporary shelters.

Challenges

Implementing the response involved numerous challenges. Even before the military coup, many villages in Hpruso Township were located in remote and difficult-to-access areas with limited transportation infrastructure. Following the coup, communities throughout the township have been heavily affected by armed conflict.

In addition to geographical isolation, the area experiences frequent guerrilla warfare and unpredictable security incidents, making it one of the least accessible regions for humanitarian actors. As a result, donor-funded organizations and humanitarian agencies have had limited access to affected populations.

To overcome these constraints, Triple-T coordinated closely with IDP committee members, local village leaders, IEC humanitarian staff, and relevant community protection forces to facilitate emergency assistance. Due to the proximity of active conflict zones, the response team relied on emergency forest routes constructed by local communities to reach displaced families.

Because transportation access was limited, relief items had to be manually carried from the furthest point accessible by vehicle to the displacement site. Displaced community members themselves played a critical role in transporting and distributing assistance. Through strong community participation, local ownership, and flexible operational planning, the response was successfully completed despite the challenging conditions.

Solutions

Prior to distribution, all beneficiary households were gathered and provided with transparent information regarding the assistance package. Each individual received 2 pyi of rice, 1 liter of cooking oil, and 50 ticals of chickpeas as life-saving food assistance. In addition, each household received one 18-foot tarpaulin for roofing and one 46-foot by 8-foot tarpaulin for shelter walls and protection, enabling them to establish temporary shelters.

Beyond the distribution of relief items, Triple-T also delivered key awareness messages on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and stress management to promote community protection and psychosocial well-being.

The response process not only strengthened local coordination mechanisms but also demonstrated the effectiveness of community participation and flexible planning in ensuring successful humanitarian action under challenging circumstances.

Results

The successful implementation of this response was made possible through the timely support of Triple-T members, strong local partnerships, and community-led collaboration.

This intervention represented more than the delivery of humanitarian assistance. It was a tangible demonstration of humanitarian action that helped protect lives during a critical emergency.

Because of your support, affected families gained access to safer shelter, preserved their dignity, and received much-needed assistance during a period of displacement and uncertainty. Most importantly, your contribution helped sustain hope among communities facing the hardships of conflict.

We sincerely thank you for your timely support and commitment to assisting vulnerable populations in times of crisis.