According to the United Nations, an imminent humanitarian crisis is looming in eastern Myanmar.

According to a statement by the UN agency in Myanmar, around 100,000 people are on the run after ongoing fighting in the state of Kayah and other areas in the south-east of the country.

The causes included "indiscriminate attacks by the security forces on areas inhabited by civilians".

Till Fähnders

Political Correspondent for Southeast Asia.

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    The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, fears "mass death" from hunger, disease and the fact that the people are defenseless.

    "The junta's brutal, indiscriminate attacks threaten the lives of many thousands of men, women and children in Kayah state," said Andrews.

    The Special Rapporteur called on regional and international organizations to act immediately to avert "catastrophic loss of life".

    The neighboring countries should do everything possible to enable the internally displaced persons to be cared for across borders.

    According to reports, the military is blocking the supply of people with relief supplies.

    Member States must put pressure on the military leadership to open the ways and stop terrorizing the people by throwing bombs and grenades and shooting at civilians, Andrews said. Armies of ethnic rebels are also active in the area, expressing solidarity with the resistance movement against the junta and intensifying their attacks on the military since the February 1 coup.

    According to reports, the majority of the people had fled the military bombing to remote villages and forests. The Kayah state in the border area with Thailand and the south of the neighboring state of Shan are particularly affected. According to the UN, people now lack water, food and medical care. The onset of the monsoons could make your situation even more difficult. The Red Cross recently announced that it would step up its relief efforts. There is a lack of income and access to health care.