Lack of donors brings food woes for IDPs in Arakan State’s Ann

By Admin 10 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
10 May 2024, Ann

Internally displaced people (IDPs) in Arakan State’s Ann Township are reportedly facing food difficulties due to lack of assistance.

It has been nearly two months since the Arakkha Army (AA) launched an offensive in Ann Township, where the Myanmar military’s Western Command headquarters is based.

“We will go hungry in the long run. We are not allowed to re-enter Ann. We sold our valuable things to buy food. We have nothing to do and the commodity prices are going up. We will starve to death in the long run if we do not receive food assistance from the international community and social organisations,” said an IDP woman.

As many as 6,000 locals in Ann and people from dozens of villages in the broader conflict zone have fled to safer locations. 

The Ann-Padan road links Magway Region and Arakan State, and has been used by the regime for military purposes, though the AA has blockaded the road since April 2. As roads are blocked due to the ongoing conflict, there is a shortage of food in Ann Township and the prices of goods have soared.

“The junta has blocked off all routes to Ann. The junta uses the roads to Ann to transport weapons and food supplies for the military, but prevents local people from importing commodities. This is the reason why IDPs run out of food and are suffering from price hikes,” said a social activist in Ann.

The AA has been attacking junta positions in Ann Township since March 24.

“We are currently in urgent need of emergency assistance. We need food items. We are going hungry. IDPs hope to receive food supplies,” said one IDP woman.

The AA has seized the Sui Chaung hilltop tactical command base in Ann Township, and is continuing offensive attacks on the Myanmar military’s Western Command headquarters.

During the latest fighting, the number of IDPs has increased by more than 290,000 and the total number of IDPs in Arakan State has reached more than 350,000, according to the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office of the United League of Arakan (ULA), the AA’s political arm.