Over 200 IDPs in Ponnagyun struggle without shelter, food aid

By Admin 24 Feb 2026

DMG Newsroom

24 February 2026, Ponnagyun

More than 200 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ponnagyun Township, Arakan State, are facing severe accommodation difficulties and urgently need assistance for shelter and food, according to displaced residents.

The group had been taking temporary refuge at a monastery in Yoetayoke Village but were recently told they could no longer stay there.

“We heard that we are not allowed to stay in the monastery anymore and were told to leave. Even when we go outside, villagers say they don’t want us staying in the compound. That is why we moved here,” said Daw Oo Khin May, an IDP woman.

The displaced families are now building makeshift shelters in open fields using their own limited resources, while those unable to construct huts are staying with relatives in overcrowded conditions.

The IDPs include children, newborns and elderly people. With the summer season approaching, residents fear extreme heat could trigger health problems.

Access to clean water is another pressing concern. The existing well is reportedly contaminated, resulting in cases of diarrhea and skin diseases among children.

“We are relying on just two hand-dug wells for drinking water. The water from the nearby creek is dirty, and locals warned us not to use it. We don’t even have enough water for bathing. We don’t know how long the water in these wells will last. The situation is very serious,” said U Kyaw Thein, an IDP man.

With no secure shelter in place, IDPs are also worried about potential health crises during seasonal changes. They fear their fragile huts will not withstand strong winds and rain, raising concerns of further hardship in the months ahead.

“We have nothing to build a house with yet. I’m staying with my mother’s family for now. We still have a little hope, but as daily wage workers, there is so much we cannot afford. We hope someone can provide materials like nipa palm leaves, bamboo and timber,” Daw Oo Khin May added.

Nearly 600,000 people have been displaced across Arakan State due to ongoing military conflict, and many are struggling to cope with food insecurity, inadequate shelter and limited access to healthcare.

International and local humanitarian assistance has declined compared to previous years. Combined with scarce job opportunities and rising commodity prices, displaced communities are facing deepening hardship.