CSOs kick off rice reserve scheme for IDPs in Arakan State

By Myat Win Kyaw 17 Sep 2019

Myat Win Kyaw | DMG

17 September, Yangon

Some civil society organizations have devised a plan to reserve rice for IDPs in Arakan State.

The Colourless Charity Group said the rice reserve scheme has been launched because of the growing concern for rice supplies because rice could not be grown in the conflict affected areas this year and a scarcity of rice might occur later if rice cannot be grown in the coming years.

The scheme started from Rathedaung Township with reserved supplies of 100 bags of rice, it said.

“We have heard that the government would not buy rice reserves. So, we will have to arrange for IDPs. We will make deal with rice traders to buy rice and keep it with the sellers. We will distribute the rice to IDPs if need be,” said U Ko Ko Gyi, spokesperson of the Colourless Charity Group.

The Colourless Charity Group heads the scheme and is working together with CSOs in Arakan State.

The group has already estimated the amount of supplies depending on the funds and the rice reserve would be taken out from storage in December to provide for IDPs that are in dire need of food, U Ko Ko Gyi said.

“We drew up a long term plan because we don’t know when the war will end,” he said.

The number of IDPs in northern Arakan State has reached over 65,000 at the moment and they are in need of food because the government has prohibited international organizations from providing relief aid for IDP camps.