Some IDPs find themselves back at camps after attempting to return home

By Nyan Hein 30 Dec 2020

Nyan Hein | DMG
30 December 2020, Sittwe 

Some internally displaced people (IDPs) who had returned home are back at the IDP camps where they were previously sheltering as they are worried about new clashes between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army in Arakan State, residents said.  

“Some returnees have come back to IDP camps because they are worried that new clashes will occur as the terms of the ceasefire declaration are going to expire,” said Ko Bekka, who is providing help for IDPs in Rathedaung Township. 

Villagers from Pyein Daw, Nyaung Bin Hla, Kala Chaung and Manyin Taung villages in Rathedaung Township have returned to IDP camps as they are worried about new clashes in their areas of origin.  

“We had heard that clashes would resume at the end of this month. So, we returned to the camp as we were worried for our safety. People dare not harvest their paddy in the fields where Tatmadaw troops are positioned. Some villagers could harvest their paddy while others had to leave the field as it was,” said Daw Ma San Nu, a resident of Pyein Daw village who found herself back at an IDP camp at the Shwe Parami Monastery in Rathedaung town after attempting a return home.    

Daw Hla May Nyunt, a resident of Nyaung Bin Hla village who similarly returned to Shwe Parami Monastery, said: “We have been here for four months. We are worried about the new clashes and returning to the IDP camp. In fact, we don’t want to return to the IDP camp.” 

The number of IDPs forced to flee their homes due to clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army at one point late this year surpassed 230,000, according to figures from the Rakhine Ethnics Congress. The IDP numbers have reportedly fallen below 200,000 in recent weeks as Tatmadaw-AA hostilities have eased in the aftermath of the November 8 election, but the situation remains difficult for many IDPs.   

“They are worried about their safety,” said U Zin Hnin Khar, manager of the Sanyin IDP camp in Myebon Township, of those returning to IDP camps.    

Among its other record-keeping, the REC is compiling a list of home returnees who have ended up back at IDP camps over recent weeks.