Clashes continue being reported from the north of the region and have now spread to the northwest of the nation, the UN Secretary-General’s spokesman Stéphane Dujarric confirmed Friday.

Pivotal routes within northern Shan are blocked by checkpoints operated by both sides, while telephone and internet services remain limited outside Lashio town, and main airport remains closed since clashes have intensified, Dujarric added.

The UN continues to provide assistance to affected civilians, including cash, food and essential relief items wherever possible.

However, this support is barely reaching a third of the people, the spokesman noted.

The USD$1 million assistance to the crisis over the past two weeks is not enough to meet the increased needs as the Humanitarian Response Plan for Myanmar is only 28% funded.

Over two million people are now internally displaced in the country and remain in urgent need of adequate shelter, food and basic services for their survival and protection.

The humanitarian community in Myanmar, Dujarric said, urges all sides to respect international humanitarian law, safeguarding the lives and well-being of civilians and, of course, humanitarian workers trying to help civilians.

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