UNITED NATIONS: An estimated 1,000 children are among people forced to leave their temporary homes amid the fighting between the Myanmar National Army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in areas of southern Kachin state, a United Nations Agency said on Wednesday.

“The fighting and the associated displacement of families has increased the health risks that children face, including by reducing their access to safe, reliable water and sanitation facilities,” said Bertrand Bainvel, Unicef representative to Myanmar.

In addition, Kachin and northern Shan are already among the most heavily mined areas in Myanmar, the agency noted. Landmines left behind or placed intentionally continue to cause harm to vulnerable populations, including children, as well as hamper humanitarian aid delivery.

“It is an unfortunate fact that the heightened risk that children face does not disappear even after the fighting stops, because they face a significantly increased risk of falling victim to commonly used landmines and even to possible recruitment into the combatant’s armed forces,” said Mr Bainvel.

“We must provide urgent help,” he said. “But life-saving aid is not enough because children need peace and stability to grow and develop.”

More than 75,000 people have been displaced since fighting between government forces and Kachin rebels began almost two years ago. For many of those displaced in the latest hostilities, it is the second or third time that they have been uprooted in the past year.