Arakan charities struggle to continue operations amid conflict

By Admin 16 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
16 July 2024, Sittwe

It has been difficult for local charities to continue their operations due to the ongoing conflict between Myanmar’s military regime and the Arakkha Army (AA) in Arakan State, according to social workers.

A member of a charity based in Gwa said that carrying out charity works is a struggle due to cash shortages, and phone and internet blackouts.

“Now is the most difficult time for us. As mobile phone and internet access have been cut off, we don’t know what is needed on the ground. There are also travel restrictions on the ground. In the meantime, the cash shortage problem is growing, and it is very difficult for us to do charity,” he added.

Myanmar’s military regime has cut off internet access and phone lines in 169 out of 330 townships across the country since 2021, according to an April report by Athan, an advocacy group for freedom of expression in Myanmar. Among the internet blackouts, Arakan State had the second most, with all 17 of its townships at various points deprived of internet access. 

Local charities say they are struggling to communicate with donors.

“As the banking system is completely at a standstill, residents rely on online payment applications such as KBZ Pay and Wave Money to withdraw money. Now that cash is scarce, withdrawal fees are skyrocketing. It is not convenient for us to talk to donors,” said a member of a charity based in Mrauk-U.

Residents in Arakan State rely on online payment applications to withdraw money due to widespread banking system disruptions. In many places, banks are not functioning at all.

The regime has also blocked and cut off the channels through which money can flow, and cash is gradually becoming scarcer in Arakan State.

The food and health crises facing internally displaced people (IDPs) and the grassroots are becoming more acute due to local charities’ problems.

“Aid has been completely cut off. I don’t know what to do to be able to eat two meals a day. Even if you are a little sick, there is no medicine to take. I want officials to arrange something. IDPs will starve to death in the long run,” said an IDP in Ponnagyun Township.

Fighting between the military and AA has displaced more than 500,000 people in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State, the United League of Arakan (ULA) said in a statement.