Muslim IDPs at Myebon Twsp displacement camp lack food, medicine

By Admin 26 Sep 2024

DMG Newsroom
26 September 2024, Myebon

More than 3,000 Muslim internally displaced people (IDPs) from the Taungpaw displacement camp in Arakan State's Myebon Township are in need of food and medicines, according to a camp manager.

The Muslim IDPs have been facing challenges for a long time without receiving assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), World Food Programme (WFP) and other social aid organisations.

"We didn't face difficulties as we received food, fuel and healthcare services in the past. We haven't received assistance for about five months," said the camp official.

"Aid organisations do not come to the displacement camps. We are forced to skimp on food due to the scarcity of jobs and rising commodity prices," said one Muslim IDP.

IDP camp residents include those with chronic illnesses, skin diseases and other ailments requiring medical attention, but under the circumstances they are going without due to a combination of lack of medicines and healthcare access, financial difficulties and the persisting dearth of humanitarian aid.

Some community organisations provide healthcare services to the Muslim IDPs from time to time, but the demand is high and those in need say what is offered is not enough.

The Taungpaw displacement camp is home to about 3,100 people from 730 households who were displaced by the intercommunal violence that wracked Arakan State in 2012.

Since renewed fighting between the military regime and Arakkha Army began in November of last year, international organisations have struggled to freely provide humanitarian assistance to IDPs in Arakan State due to junta restrictions on their operations and travel.