Thousands of displaced civilians in Tonzang urgently need food, medicines

Thousands of residents displaced from downtown Tonzang and surrounding villages in northern Chin State remain unable to return home more than a month later, sparking urgent needs for humanitarian assistance, including medicines and basic food supplies. Civilians from Tonzang's urban wards, adjacent villages, and communities east of the township bordering Kalay, Tamu, and Khampat have been displaced since May, facing severe hardships, an official from the resistance-run Tonzang People's Administration told Khonumthung News. "People from downtown Tonzang and the surrounding villages are still displaced and facing extremely grim conditions," the official said. "Displaced populations across the township desperately need livelihoods, shelter, and medical assistance. We urgently appeal to anyone capable of providing support to join our relief efforts." In addition to Tonzang’s urban centers, residents from around 30 villages—including Nakzang, Lungtak, and Khamzang—remain displaced. While verified figures show that more than 1,700 people have been officially registered as displaced, local sources believe the actual number is significantly higher. The displaced civilians have yet to receive institutional aid from international humanitarian organizations. Consequently, there is a critical shortage of medicines, particularly for those suffering from chronic illnesses such as heart disease, asthma, and gastrointestinal disorders, alongside a surge in seasonal illnesses like influenza. "The situation is unprecedentedly difficult for them. In the past, whenever fighting broke out, residents would flee temporarily and return quickly. This time is different," the source added. "People have been displaced for much longer with no prospect of return. Some are hiding in remote forested areas, while others have temporarily relocated to Kalay town. But regardless of their location, they are all facing immense hardships." Vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, young children, and the elderly sheltering in forests, are currently living in makeshift tents constructed from plastic tarpaulin sheets. "The elderly, pregnant women, and children are bearing the brunt of this crisis," the administrative source emphasized. "Those hiding in the forests are suffering severely due to the complete lack of healthcare and basic necessities. It is currently unsafe for them to return to their homes, even briefly. I appeal to both domestic and international donors to support the displaced people of Tonzang." In May 2024, the Chinland Defence Force–Tonzang (CDF-Tonzang), alongside allied Chin resistance groups, captured Tonzang town, subsequently establishing a civilian administrative system that operated for two years. However, on May 19 this year, the military junta-backed Zomi Revolutionary Army–Eastern Command (ZRA-EC) recaptured Tonzang. Following the takeover, the Zomi Political Coordination Committee (ZPCC)—the political wing of the ZRA-EC—issued an announcement stating that displaced residents could safely return and resume their normal lives. Despite the administration's assurances, only a fraction of the population has returned. The vast majority remain displaced due to intense fear of reprisals from the junta and the ZRA-EC, which reportedly target political dissidents and participants of the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)—the nationwide anti-coup strike by civil servants. Fearing retaliation, thousands of residents continue to languish in displacement.