Arakan charities struggle to continue operations amid growing need

By Admin 04 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
4 July 2024, Sittwe

Local charities in Arakan State have been forced to suspend their operations as fighting has intensified between Myanmar’s military regime and the Arakkha Army (AA).

Charities are struggling due to several factors including instability, a decline in funding resulting from economic chaos, travel restrictions and high fuel prices, according to charity founders.

Operations have also been disrupted as the regime has cut off communications amid the fighting, said a member of a charity based in Mrauk-U.

“We have difficulties providing emergency services. Communications are cut off, and we can’t operate as we don’t know where people need help. And exorbitant fuel prices also inhibit our operations,” he said.

Charitable organisations operating in townships controlled by the AA say donations have declined as communications are down.

Charities operating in townships controlled by the regime are also suffering from funding shortfalls, sometimes resulting in these organisations being unable to help people injured in ongoing, often-intense fighting in southern Arakan State.

A Gwa Township-based charity member said: “We can’t ask for money from patients at this difficult time. Most of the patients can hardly afford petrol costs. We have to spend from our own pockets, and we will have to suspend operations if it goes on like this for long.”

Poor patients and people who need emergency healthcare are suffering as a result, according to charities.

Nearly eight months after regime-AA hostilities resumed in Arakan State, many residents are facing dire food and medicine shortages, with a junta blockade of roads and waterways largely to blame.