IDPs in Kyauktaw Twsp need aid to rebuild storm-battered displacement camps

By Admin 23 May 2023

DMG Newsroom
23 May 2023, Kyauktaw

Internally displaced people (IDPs) whose houses were destroyed by Cyclone Mocha in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township urgently need relief supplies and healthcare services. Some have been living in displacement camps since they were displaced by fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army in 2019.

“All the houses” were destroyed by the cyclone at a displacement camp opened at the Myoma Shwe Kyaung Monastery in Kyauktaw, said deputy camp manager Ko Kyaw Myint Naing.

“People need emergency relief supplies including food and healthcare services. People are starving and children are sick,” he said.

The displacement camp shelters more than 780 people, many of whom have been forced to pack into the Myoma Shwe Kyaung Monastery in the aftermath of the storm, which made landfall over Arakan State on May 14.

“We have nowhere else to go, so we have to stay in the crowded monastery,” said Ma Hsan Hsan Oo, who originally hails from Sein Nyin Wa Village in neighbouring Paletwa Township, Chin State. “The food was destroyed along with our houses, and we have nothing left to eat.”

Displaced people taking shelter at the Maha Kan Gyi Shin Monastery in Kyauktaw are also having difficulties, according to camp manager U Sein Thar Phyu.

“Only one of the buildings at the monastery was not damaged by the cyclone, and the displaced people have to pack into it. However, the building is too small to hold all the displaced people. Donors have not yet arrived. Two from our camp were injured during the storm,” he said.

The camp provides shelter for 606 displaced villagers from Paletwa and Kayuktaw townships.

Houses were also destroyed by the cyclone at the Nyaungchaung displacement camp in Kyauktaw Township. Approximately 3,000 people from more than 700 households are taking shelter there.

“Women don’t feel safe as their houses are gone. So, we want to rebuild the houses as soon as possible, and we also want donors to supply food as soon as possible,” said U Khaing Khaing Kyi from Nyaungchaung displacement camp.

According to Myanmar’s military regime, more than 1.1 million people were affected by Cyclone Mocha in Arakan State, with financial losses totaling over 4.6 billion kyats.