Emergency Response to conflict-affected population in Northern Shan State ltpgtltbrgt  ltbrgtNorthern Shan State has multiple armed groups that are fighting with MAF and there are also groups that are fighting each other. This made the political situation in Northern Shan State more complex and the dire situation posing grave protection risks for civilians, limiting access to vital services including health and education, and making food insecurity to another level.  The situation got worsen after the “Three Brotherhood Alliance”, composed of Arakhan Army (AA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) launched a series of assaults against military and police bases on  26 October. Most intense clashes occurred in Chinshwehaw, Hseni, Kutkai, Kyaukme, Lashio, Laukkaing, Namhkan, and Muse townships, causing civilian casualties and widespread displacement.  ltbrgtTransportation at Pyi Htaung Su main road has systematically blocked by EAOs, especially at Goteik, Nawnghkio/ (which is bordering the central Myanmar), Hseni, Kutkai and east part, Kun Long. Currently, the civilians have been blocked in their respective areas, Hsewi, Kutkai up to Muse, and on the east part, Kun Lung, Chingshwehaw, Laukai. Lashio airport has also been closed since then, until the time of developing this document on 6 November. These hindrances are hugely impacting people's mobility, humanitarian access, and communication with affected communities. Displacing or transportation crossing townships are hardly possible. The locals state that hundreds of thousands of population in Laukai has been trapped for more than 5 days and facing food shortage. Apart of Lashio township, mobile communication can only access through Mytel telecom, however, the mobile communication are not stable and cut off sometimes in some locations such as Kutkai, Laukai, Phawng Seng, Pang Sai, Mungkoe, Kunlung. The electricity in Kutkai has been cut off almost one week. The price of commodity is at its highest which one bag of rice has increased from 80,000 to over 300,000 MMK and the affected population are severely suffering from current humanitarian crisis. ltbrgtThe use of heavy weapons, including air strikes and artillery fire, continues to claim lives and pose risks to the safety and security of civilians.  As of 04 November, 27 persons were killed and 98 person injured in an air attack in Hseni, Kutkai, Kyaukme, Lashio, Namhkan, and Muse townships where the conflict has become more intense and increasingly brutal. Civilian homes and properties also continue to be targeted and set ablaze, with several civilian houses and structures, including religious buildings have been burnt down or destroyed.ltbrgtAs of 5 November, over 25,644 individuals have reportedly been newly displaced, seeking refuge in nearby forests or religious compounds within northern Shan. Additionally, several hundred people have reportedly crossed the border into China in search of safety. It is impossible to get information and data of those who crossed the international border.  The security situation also affects the residents at some of the IDP camps and have to evacuate due to the close proximity of the military operations and targets.ltbrgtltbrgtMeanwhile, the conflict seems spreading out of Northern Shan to the upper part of Myanmarltbrgtas well through different armed groups. Due to the intensified conflict and blockage of transportation, accessing the affected populations out of towns will be very critical and challenging as well as provision ofltbrgthumanitarian assistances, transportation and resource mobilizing to reach to most conflict affected population will be essential in coming two weeks. Potential shortage of basic food is alarming. The population in Mungsee in Kutkai twonship, Tomoene, Hpawng Seng, Mongkoe, Kunglung, Laukai, Chinshwehaw and Hopang are hardly accessible at the moment. With current conflict intensification, the Northern Shan is facing humanitarian crisis with alarming rate and scale and civilian protection are the most critical challenge.ltbrgtltbrgtlt/pgt