Wa Briefs

Wa Briefs

500 died of malaria 

From January to 3 August, more than 500 resettlers in 3 villages 5 miles away from the border have died through malaria and neglect, said Lahu sources. 

Namkala, Namkhai and Mamoday, just north of Namyoom, with a population of 2,000 (300 households) are now quite deserted because of the epidemic, they said. 

"They cannot depend on either the Wa or Burmese authorities for health care," said a Lahu source. "So they have to count only on praying and offerings to the spirits as well as herbal medicines." 

As for the orphans whose parents perished, the United Wa State Army had taken them away, they said. 

Lahu villages ordered to move 

45 Lahu villages in the Mongyawn area have been ordered to relocate, said Lahu sources coming from across the border to the Chiangmai-based Lahu National Development Organization. 

The Lahu population is about 14,550 (2,779 households) there. They have been told to move out by January 2002. 200 households, as a result, are already in the Khailong area near the Shan State Army's Loi Taileng stronghold, opposite Pang Mapha District, Maehongson province. 

"Life in Mongyawn is difficult. We are not allowed to gather more than 2-together and our muskets are all confiscated. The latter order is especially devastating, because Lahu are hunters and muskets are almost a part of themselves," report LNDO. "There's even a saying: Lahu love their muskets more than their wives."