Charities forced to halt operations as fuel stocks dwindle in Arakan State

By Admin 27 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
27 November 2023, Sittwe

Widespread fuel shortages in Arakan State caused by the junta’s travel restrictions are forcing local charities to stop operations, according to members of charities that provide free ambulance and funeral services and other humanitarian works.

“It has become very difficult to buy fuel in Sittwe. If we can’t buy fuel, we will have to suspend our operations temporarily,” said U Min Htel Warr, chairman of the Shwe Yaung Metta Foundation.

Filling stations in Sittwe town have run out of fuel, and the foundation has been forced to buy from roadside petroleum vendors to continue operating, he said.

The Garuna Hline Blood Donors Association based in Mrauk-U Township only has one barrel of fuel, and will soon be forced to suspend operation, said chairman U Aung Than Tun.

“We can’t buy fuel due to the blockade of the roads. We will have to suspend operation if our last barrel of fuel is used up,” he said.

Charities are concerned that patients, who will be injured in the ongoing fighting and need emergency medical treatment, will suffer as a result of fuel shortages.

Despite travel restrictions, the regime still allows ambulances carrying emergency patients to use roads in Arakan State, said social organisations.

“Fuel is only sold by quota in our town. Our humanitarian operations have been largely restricted by fuel shortages,” said a charity worker from Gwa Township.

The regime has blockaded roads and waterways in Arakan State since renewed fighting broke out on November 13 between the military and Arakan Army (AA). Many townships are facing shortages of food, medicines and fuel as a result.