Vox Pop: IDPs in Arakan State share concerns about life in rainy season

By Admin 21 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
21 May 2024, Sittwe

It has been more than six months since fighting flared anew between Myanmar’s military regime and the Arakkha Army (AA) in Arakan State on November 13, 2023. More than 160,000 people have been displaced by the latest conflict, and they badly need shelter, food, pharmaceuticals and drinking water.

With the arrival of the monsoon imminent, internally displaced people are still struggling to secure shelter. DMG has recently interviewed them about their concerns and the challenges they are likely to face during the rainy season.

U Maung Nay Oo || Ann resident

We still don’t know when we will be able to return to the town. The monsoon is arriving soon, but there is little likelihood of returning home. We are not living in properly built buildings in a displacement camp. We are staying in temporary huts on vacant land near villages. They [these shelters] can’t withstand rain. For now, we can take shelter at other people’s homes when it rains. But it is not convenient to do so the whole rainy season.

Daw Thein Thein Kyi || Kyaukphyu resident

We fled nearly a month ago. We have been taking shelter in a rural village. Though there was no clash in Kyaukphyu Town, we dare not stay because of the junta’s frequent arrests. We have to live in a makeshift shelter near someone else’s house. It is not convenient. 

We just want to return home. We have had no job and no income since we fled. We have almost used up the money we had brought with us. It seems that the fighting will not end soon. The rainy season is arriving soon. We have neither proper shelter nor food. We want local authorities to arrange something for IDPs.

Daw Khin Khin || Buthidaung resident

Buthidaung Town has been badly damaged, and there is almost no hope that we can return home. The fighting is still happening. I am now living at a village monastery with many other people. There will be a lot of trouble in the rainy season. So, we want the local authorities to arrange something for us.

Daw Aye Thein || Sittwe resident

We have been displaced for more than two months. We are taking shelter at a village in Ponnagyun Township. We are living at a school. As there are many people taking shelter at the school, it will be very inconvenient to cook and live in the rainy season. We have no job and no income. So, we can’t afford to buy food. I may either die of [malnutrition-related] disease or starvation.