We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script MYANMAR ATTACKS KAYIN STATE TV
HEAD: Kayin IDPs face growing indiscriminate attacks
TEASER: Burmese army airstrikes and indiscriminate bombardments have intensified pushing the total number of displaced persons to record numbers
PUBLISHED AT: Friday, 05/20/2022 at 0:01 EDT
BYLINE: Steve Sandford
DATELINE: UMPHANG, THAILAND
CAMERA: Steve Sandford
VIDEO EDITOR: Steve Sandford, Mary Cieslak
VIDEO FROM: VOA, Free Burma Rangers
EDITORS: Steve Hirsch, Salem Solomon
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:13
VID APPROVED BY: pcd
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[Airstrikes and indiscriminate bombardments have intensified, pushing the total number of displaced people in Myanmar to nearly a million. Civilians who have recently fled their homes in Kayin state speak out about the dangers of returning to work in their fields, ahead of the next growing season, as battles between Myanmar’s army and opposition forces draw the conflict closer to civilian targets. Steve Sandford reports from Umphang, Thailand.]]
((VIDEO: Empty corn fields in Kayin State))
((NARRATOR))
In Myanmar’s Kayin State, many farmers and their families are afraid to return home to plant seasonal crops, as aerial attacks intensify.
((VIDEO: Pan shot of IDPs in camp in Kayin state))
((NARRATOR))
As junta forces face increased resistance by opposition troops on the ground, they have turned to brutal attacks from above, creating fear and panic for the villagers.
((VIDEO: Close-up of Khaw Mying fixing her makeshift hut))
((Khaw Mying, Kayin Farmer (in Karen)))
“Before I fled to this camp, I couldn’t start to grow corn and rice because the Burmese soldiers fly jet planes and drop the bombs before we can go to work in the field. They can’t get into the village, but they use planes to bomb my village.”
((MANDATORY COURTESY: Free Burma Rangers))
((VIDEO: Wide shot of burning villages in Kayin state: FBR credit))
((NARRATOR))
Reporting by the Free Burma Rangers, a relief organization, of junta attacks on civilian locations has shown what rights groups say amounts to attacks intentionally directed against civilians.
((VIDEO: Medium shot of villagers fleeing up hill in jungle FBR))
((NARRATOR))
Collecting evidence has come at a cost for the multiethnic aid group, formed by ex-U.S. Special Forces veteran and former missionary, David Eubanks, in 1997.
((VIDEO: David Eubanks & 2 daughters on Thai - Myanmar border))
((David Eubanks, Free Burma Rangers))
“So, the biggest thing people need is for someone to stop the Burma army from attacking and bombing them, strafing them with airplanes, helicopters,
((Overlay of footage))
((MANDATORY COURTESY: Free Burma Rangers))
armored vehicles, mortars, machine guns, artillery. We saw all of it. In fact, 10 of our Rangers have died since the coup which is about 10 times a normal year for our relief work. It’s terrible.”
((VIDEO: Close-up of Karen workers in IDP camp))
((NARRATOR))
In addition to the airstrikes, the reported increased use of landmines has further restricted access to farmland for many.
((VIDEO: Wide shot of female farmer Naw Soe sorting cotton))
((NARRATOR))
For workers like Naw Soe, whose land is now a war zone, the reduced income and food supply is devastating for her family.
((Naw Soe, Karen Farmer (in Burmese)))
“Some of the landmines that soldiers planted have exploded, while some didn't. Bullets shot from the jets landed on the farmland. Karen soldiers were able to remove some landmines that weren’t planted too deep and took them out of the farm to destroy them.”
((VIDEO: Farmer with children packing up belongings to leave IDP camp))
((NARRATOR))
Despite the fighting, for some, the work must go on, at any cost.
((VIDEO: Farmer driving on Asian tractor with family))
((STEVE SANDFORD, FOR VOA NEWS IN UMPHANG, THAILAND))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)UMPHANG, THAILAND
Embargo DateMay 19, 2022 19:19 EDT
Byline((STEVE SANDFORD, FOR VOA NEWS IN UMPHANG, THAILAND))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
