Rice stocks exhausted at Nyaung Chaung IDP camp

By Hnin Nwe 13 May 2020

Hnin Nwe | DMG
May 13, Kyauktaw 

Nyaung Chaung IDP camp in Kyauktaw Township has run out of rice as the government has failed to deliver an expected shipment of the staple grain, according to the camp leader. 

With a population of 2,817, the Nyaung Chaung camp reportedly exhausted its rice stocks this week.   

To feed the camp, Nyaung Chaung village-based private rice holders have provided 150 sacks of rice on loan to the camp, to be shared among the displaced population, according to Ko Khaing Myo Aung, who is responsible for the camp. 

“Our supply of rice has been completely cut off. We have had to buy basic supplies — rice, oil and salt — with the remaining cash we have from cash assistance. We have 150 bags bought on loan and that will be enough for about six days,” he explained.  

“We have distributed three days’ worth to the IDPs; I don’t want to distribute all of it since if there are new arrivals then we won’t be able to provide anything.” 

Those currently staying in the camp are from numerous villages in the surrounding area. Some camp inhabitants have lived there since conflict displaced them from their homes and villages as far back as March 2019, while others have been forced to flee more recent bouts of violence. 

“Currently, they can only give us half rice rations compared to what they normally provide,” said U Aung Kyaw Hla, an IDP who came to the camp from Pyaing Taing village. “We can get by for the other basics. I’m worried that if they can’t give us enough rice now, in the summer season, what about when the rains come?”  

Ko Khaing Myo Aung urged the government to do its utmost to help provide support before the situation deteriorated further and people became hungry. 

“If this situation continues and supplies are not provided, IDPs will be forced to leave here and look for support elsewhere. They have some here for help and support — if we can’t provide them with the basic necessities then the situation will get even worse. We urge the government to allow civil society groups and international organisations to be able to provide support and assistance,” he said. 

The Nyaung Chaung camp’s remote location, far from towns in the region, makes it difficult for donors and relief agencies to travel there, with military checkpoints among the obstacles to be navigated by would-be aid suppliers. 

DMG was unable to contact the deputy township administrator for Kyauktaw, U Myo Thein Zaw, for an interview on the situation. 

Conflict between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State has led to the displacement of over 164,000 people. Several camps in the state continue to face difficulties obtaining basic necessities.  

On April 4, the Kyauktaw Township administration office dispatched a truck transporting the required rice supplies for Nyaung Chaung camp, but it was stopped by the Tatmadaw and 15 men travelling on it, including a village-tract clerk, were arrested on suspicion of having contact with the AA. The men have been handed over to the police.