Interview: Ponnagyun Youths Association leader shares IDP hardships

By Admin 01 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
1 September 2024, Ponnagyun

There are more than 54,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) now living in Arakan State's Ponnagyun Township, with most from neighbouring Sittwe and Rathedaung townships.

DMG interviewed Ko Pyae Phyo Naing, chairman of the Ponnagyun Youths Association (PYA), which is carrying out local social assistance activities, about the needs and difficulties facing the IDPs.

DMG: Please tell us about the current situation of IDPs in Ponnagyun Township.

Ko Pyae Phyo Naing: There are nearly 60,000 IDPs in Ponnagyun Township. Most IDPs are from Sittwe and Rathedaung townships. The IDPs remain at displacement camps and make a living as odd-job workers as they are not allowed to enter Ponnagyun [Town].

Some IDPs who have the means are comfortable with some businesses, and some earn a living as odd-job workers. Some IDPs rely on cash donations. Some IDPs make a living by collecting bamboo shoots and cutting down firewood.

DMG: I also want to know about the difficulties facing IDPs.

Ko Pyae Phyo Naing: There are many IDPs who go hungry in Ponnagyun Township. Both the Arakkha Army (AA) and social organisations are providing necessary assistance to IDPs. Our assistance is not enough due to there being thousands of IDPs. Some IDPs ask for rice from us. We provide bamboo and nipa palm thatches to some IDPs, but they cannot build homes due to lack of money. There are many IDPs who eat only rice with chilli.

DMG: Some IDPs in Ponnagyun Township are reported to have skin diseases. What can you tell us about that situation?

Ko Pyae Phyo Naing: IDPs need proper healthcare services. Many IDPs in Ponnagyun Township suffer from skin diseases. 1,667 people from nine villages who have been displaced by fighting in Ponnagyun Township are reportedly suffering from skin diseases and are in need of medicine. Some IDPs are coughing and sick. There are many people who are fleeing the war who cannot buy medicine.

DMG: How bad is the skin disease problem among IDPs?

Ko Pyae Phyo Naing: IDPs with skin diseases ask for medical assistance from us. When we compiled a list of IDPs with skin diseases, IDPs asked us to provide them with medicine. Women are not ashamed to show us that they have skin disease. They show us what they really feel. The IDPs asked us to give them medicine.

DMG: How are IDPs otherwise dealing with their health issues?

Ko Pyae Phyo Naing: When we go to the displacement camps, the IDPs share the medicine from the neighbourhood. IDPs use traditional medicine to solve their health problems.

DMG: What can you tell us about the living situation of IDPs more generally?

Ko Pyae Phyo Naing: The living conditions of IDPs are now much better than in the past because the Arakkha People's Government builds shelters for IDPs. The number of IDPs is on the rise and some IDPs do not have shelters.

Many IDPs face accommodation difficulties. As the IDPs were in the rain, they were bitten by mosquitoes and had to sit with their children in their arms all night. There are many such IDP families.

DMG: What else would you like to say about the IDPs?

Ko Pyae Phyo Naing: The urgent need of IDPs is money. If everyone had money, everything would be fine. What IDPs need is money. IDPs also need rice and medicine. If IDPs have money, they can buy medicine. That's why I have to say that we need financial support for the IDPs.