By HSENG LENG

A Shan State civil society organization ran a three-day fundraising campaign this week to support people facing economic difficulties due to the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.

The Myanmar People’s Alliance – Shan State started collecting funds and other donations in front of the Ocean shopping center in the state capital of Taunggyi on Sunday morning for people in Ywar Ngan Township in southern Shan State. The campaign finished today.

The funds will be given specifically to the 600-household Myogyi village, which is under lockdown in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Residents are facing food shortages because they have been unable to work.  

“We are collecting donations of money, food and other things for the people who are in need. Then we will send these things to the village,” Mi Mi Thein, who is working for the alliance, told SHAN. “Most of the villagers are daily wages laborers. They cannot go to work because of the COVID-19 restrictions. That’s why they are struggling for food.”