Around 8,000 IDPs in Rakhine face food shortage

By Khaing Roe La 28 Mar 2019

Khaing Roe La/ DMG

March 27, Sittwe

Since the battles between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army (AA) has been four months in Rakhine State, the number of IDPs in its six townships has reached to 21,000 on March 25, according to Rakhine Ethnic Congress.

Not all of them are in refugee camps, some were trapped in their villages. Although relief aid have been providing for IDPs, about 8000 IDPs could not get food because their area is difficult to access on security reason.

Currently, over 4000 IDPs from Mrauk- U Township and about 4000 IDPs from Buthidaung Township face food shortage.

“Since these regions are battle grounds and people have recently been displaced, relief aid does not reach yet there,” said U Shwe Baw Sein, chairperson of Rakhine Ethnic Congress.

Meanwhile, refugees from Taw Phyar Chaung in Ponnagyun Township and from places with difficult access are also in need of food, he said.

He added that government is weak to provide relief aid for IDPs and other CSOs could not reach to all places.

 “Villagers staying out of road connection face food shortage because it’s not a safety place to travel,” U Shwe Baw Sein said.

After four months of battles in this region, there were more than 1100 IDPs in Buthidaung town, over 1600 in Rathedaung town, over 1900 in Ponnagyun town, 2900 in Kyauktaw town, 3800 in Mrauk-U town and over 2400 in Minbya town.