AA starts rehabilitation works in some townships under its control

By Admin 03 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
3 December 2024, Minbya

The Arakkha Army (AA) has begun helping residents rebuild homes damaged or destroyed by air, artillery and arson attacks during fighting between the ethnic armed group and Myanmar’s military regime in Ramree, Minbya and Buthidaung townships, according to locals.

The AA has supplied coconut or nipa palm branches, bamboo and timber to build temporary shelters, said residents.

“The AA soldiers also helped us with rebuilding our houses. The AA tries to facilitate and build as many temporary houses as possible,” said a Minbya resident.

The ethnic armed group has also started rehabilitation and maintenance works in towns it has captured from the regime, clearing landmines, repairing roads and bridges, providing security and delivering healthcare services, according to residents.

According to the United League of Arakan’s Humanitarian and Development Cooperation Office (HDCO), a total of 6,404 houses were destroyed across Arakan State during one year of fighting.

Buthidaung Township saw the heaviest damage, with 3,306 houses destroyed there, followed by Pauktaw with 1,160 houses and Ramree with 284 houses.

One Ramree resident said: “Relief camps in the town are overcrowded, and the HDCO has supplied nipa palm and bamboo to build temporary shelters in place of the burned houses.”

Some residents who initially fled fighting between the regime and the AA have returned to their hometowns after the AA seized them. But many displaced residents still cannot return home.

“They are helping to build temporary shelters using tarpaulins and nipa palm in the burnt areas,” said a woman from Buthidaung.

Some residents have called on the AA to pave the way for international aid agencies to deliver humanitarian supplies in Arakan State. Junta travel restrictions since the fighting began in November of last year have effectively barred humanitarian operations across Arakan State.

One young man from Arakan State said: “The AA’s strategy seems to be to fight while rebuilding in Rakhine [Arakan State]. It’s encouraging that they are doing their best, but I think they should also take measures to enable international agencies like the UN to enter the state and provide more effective assistance.”

The military regime has been conducting air raids on towns where the AA has seized control or is launching offensives, causing additional destruction of homes.

The AA has captured 11 townships in Arakan State over the past year, as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.