Rathedaung refugee camps are in dire need of food

By Win Nyunt 24 Apr 2019

Win Nyunt/ DMG

April 24, Sittwe  

The IDPs camps in Rathedaung Township, named Zeekhaung, Paethadu, Sinkhonedaing, Ohphauk, Pyinwun, Mote Soe Chaung and Aung Si Gone, are in dire need of food supplies according to the Rakhine Ethnics Congress (REC).

All camps are in urgent need of food and health care while Paethadu, Zeekhaung and Sinkhonedaing camps face water shortages, the REC said.

“We ran out of rice, salt, cooking oil and related items,” said U Maung Hla Thein, an aid worker in Zeekhaung camp.

IDPs said that all food supplies were extinguished two weeks ago.

The total of 157 IDPs in the camp are from Yay Kaung Chaung, Khayu Chaung, Thit Dapote and Kyauk Kone Pote villages and the food shortages are a direct result of relief aid that’s been hindered, U Maung Hla Thein said.

The IDPs are now looking to donors for food assistance. All refugee camps and refugees from war-torn villages had not been provided enough food, drinking water and health care, the REC said in its statement.

“80 percent of all camps don’t have a sufficient food supply, especially meat and fish. Cooking ingredients such as chilies, onions, oil and firewood are much needed,” the REC said.

The REC is preparing to go to the Zeekhaung camp in early May but it has currently faced a financial problem.

Sin Kay, Chawmee, Sinbawgaing, Kalarchaung and Phayarhla camps in Mrauk- U Township, Zeytidaung and Guasone camps in Buthidaung Township, IDP camps in Ponnagyun and Kyauktaw Townships are also in desperate need of food assistance and health care.

There are over 34,000 IDPs in Rakhine state and about 4,000 are in Rathidaung Township.