The Karen people of Myanmar face ongoing aggression from the military junta, which has targeted their communities with violence and displacement. In response, ethnic armed organizations like the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the Karen National Union (KNU) have taken on the responsibility of governing and protecting areas under their control in Karen State. These groups provide a vital defense against the junta’s brutal tactics, ensuring civilian safety and resisting oppression.
Despite their efforts, humanitarian conditions in these territories remain dire. Decades of conflict have resulted in widespread displacement, with many Karen people forced to live in refugee camps or remote jungle hideouts. Access to food, medicine, and clean water is limited, as the junta frequently blocks aid deliveries. Health services are scarce, with only small community-run clinics operating in many areas, struggling to treat injuries and illnesses with minimal supplies.
Education is also severely impacted. Many schools are run by the local communities and ethnic organizations, often lacking proper resources, trained teachers, and secure facilities. Students face constant disruptions due to airstrikes and military incursions. Nevertheless, the Karen people continue to prioritize education, viewing it as essential to preserving their identity and securing a better future for the next generation.
Karen mother and her child. Kanele Htaw IDP camp, Myanmar, September 2024
A young Karen woman embedded in the KNLA, Karen State, Myanmar, January 2025
Mother and child health care training at the clinic of a camp for internally displaced persons in Kayin State, Myanmar, September 2024
A young couple coming to a clinic with their young child who has high fever. Lae Gho clinic, Karen State, Myanmar, September 2024
A church destroyed by junta airstrikes in a Karen village near a KNLA base. Pa Nwe Poe Klo, Kayin State, Myanmar, January 2025
Soldier of the Karen National Liberation Army at an outpost near the frontline. Kayin State, Burma, January 2025
A child from the Karen ethnic minority in Myanmar. Kanele Htaw IDP camp for displaced persons. Kayin State, Myanmar, September 2024
Karen National Liberation Army trenches, Kanele in Kayin State, Myanmar, September 2024
Trenches and defence lines around a Kawthoolei Army outpost in Karen State, Burma, January 2025
Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) soldiers at the frontline. KNLA outpost in Kayin State, Myanmar, September 2024
A church destroyed by junta airstrikes in a Karen village near a KNLA base. Pa Nwe Poe Klo, Kayin State, Myanmar, January 2025
Malaria testing being carried out for Karen National Libaration (KNLA) soldiers on the frontline. Ka Ban Ye Plaw outpost, Kanele in Karen State, Myanmar, September 2024
KNLA soldier resting at a frontline position, Karen State, Myanmar, September 2024
Karen mothers attending a training on healthcare and sanitation at a clinic run by the Karen National Union health administration. Kanele, Karen State, Myanmar, September 2024
Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) soldiers at their barracks. KNLA outpost in Kayin State, Myanmar, September 2024
Karen National Liberation Army squad commander at a frontline position in Karen State in Myanmar, September 2024
A church destroyed by junta airstrikes in a Karen village near a KNLA base. Pa Nwe Poe Klo, Kayin State, Myanmar, January 2025
Ethnic Karen girl at a camp for displaced people in Karen State, Myanmar, September 2024
A nurse from the Karen National Union (KNU) health services verifying medecines available at a KNLA unit at the frontline, Kayin State, Myanmar, September 2024
Karen National LIberation Army (KNLA) soldier taking a rest after returning from the frontline. Karen State, Myanmar, September 2024
KNLA soldier resting at a frontline position, Karen State, Myanmar, September 2024
Members of the Kawthoolei Army saluting their soldiers going on patrol. U Poe Hta in Kayin State, Myanmar, January 2025
Freedom fighters from the Karen National Liberation Army, Brigade 6, Pa Nwe Poe Klo village in Karen State, Myanmar. January 2025
A Karen soldier of the Karen National Liberation Army loading his automatic weapon chargers. Pa Nwe Poe Klo KNLA outpost, Karen State, Burma, January 2025
Kawthoolei Army (KTLA) camp, U Poe Hta, Karen State, Myanmar, January 2025
Class for young children at a temporary school for displaced persons. Htee Baw Kaw camp for internally displaced people. Kayin State in Myanmar, September 2024
Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) barracks at a frontline position in Karen State, Myanmar, September 2024
Karen National LIberation Army (KNLA) soldiers returning from the frontline. Karen State, Myanmar, September 2024
Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) soldiers at their barracks. KNLA outpost in Kayin State, Myanmar, September 2024
KNLA soldier near a frontline position. Karen State, Myanmar, September 2024
Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) soldiers at a frontline. KNLA outpost in Kayin State, Myanmar, September 2024
Kawthoolei Army (KTLA) camp, U Poe Hta, Karen State, Myanmar, January 2025
KNLA soldier near a frontline position. Ka Ban Ye Plaw hill in Karen State, Myanmar, September 2024
KNLA soldier near a frontline position. Ka Ban Ye Plaw hill in Karen State, Myanmar, September 2024
Karen National LIberation Army (KNLA) soldier returning from the frontline. Frontline near Kanele in Karen State, Myanmar, September 2024
A young girl from the Karen ethnic minority burning waste at a IDP camp for people displaced by the conflict in Myanmar. Htee Baw Kaw IDP camp for displaced people from nearby Wale town. Karen State, Burma, September 2024
A Karen soldier of the KNLA cleaning her weapon. Frontline outpost in Karen State, Myanmar, January 2025
Karen National LIberation Army (KNLA) soldiers resting after returning from the frontline. Karen State, Myanmar, September 2024
Children playing volleyball as part as school activities in an IDP camp for displaced persons. The conflict in Myanmar has displaced more than 2,5 million people from their homes. Htee Baw Kaw camp in Kayin State, Myanmar, September 2024
A Kawthoolei Army (KTLA) freedom fighter in Kayin State, Myanmar, 2025
A nurse from the Karen National Union health services carrying out a malaria test to KNLA soldiers on the frontline in Karen State, Myanmar, September 2024
