YANGON, Myanmar, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The United Nations Friday estimated as many as 30,000 refugees from Myanmar had fled to China to escape fighting between government forces and ethnic groups.
Andrej Mahecic, spokesman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, told reporters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency was in communication with Chinese officials to see what assistance was needed.
"UNHCR has reiterated its readiness to provide support to the authorities in responding to the needs of these refugees," Mahecic said in a written statement.
The fighting broke out in the northern mountains of Myanmar after the government began pressing fighters from about a dozen ethnic groups to surrender their weapons under a series of cease-fire agreements aimed at quelling fighting that has gone on for several years.
The New York Times reported Friday that shooting reportedly broke out again this week, sending civilians into China's Yunnan province. The United Nations said the number of refugees was estimated at 10,000-30,000.
Opposition groups in the United States told the Times they expected the unrest to spread.
