Arakan State charities struggle with rising operating costs

By Admin 02 Sep 2023

DMG Newsroom
2 September 2023, Sittwe

Social organisations assisting local people in Arakan State across many aspects of daily life, including emergency issues, are finding it difficult to survive in the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha, which made landfall along the Arakan coast on May 14.

More than three months after the storm, a lack of donors and the inability of members to pay monthly contributions has brought operational difficulties for some charities carrying out relief activities.

“As external donors are scarce, we are in need of funds. We can spend only from the funds, and the funds are decreasing,” said U Aung Than Tun, chairman of the Garuna Hlaine Blood Donors Association in Mrauk-U.

Charities operate with donations and other private contributions, including monthly membership fees, to cover emergency and health-related issues.

“If someone who needs help asks for help from us, it is our responsibility to help. Some people from Sittwe, Minbya and Myebon contribute around K30,000 to our charity monthly,” said U Min Htel Wah, chairman of the Shwe Yaung Myitta Foundation, a Sittwe-based charity.

Rising commodity prices, which have affected consumers’ pocketbooks in a major way, are also having their effect on charities, which are having difficulty filling fuel tanks and maintaining the vehicles used in their social assistance work.

The Shwe Yaung Myitta Foundation has a fleet of 16 vehicles that are used for social work, and the monthly expenses of the charity are nearly K10 million.

The foundation is currently running on loans due to lack of donations, said U Min Htel Wah.

Poor people rely on social organisations for emergency travel and health issues.

In order to help those in need, officials from social organisations in Arakan State say they continue to work despite increasingly dire financial outlooks.

“If charities were to stop operations due to financial difficulties, people would face difficulties,” said Ko Aung Phyo Wai, vice chairman of the Lay Yat Wati Blood Donors Association in Kyaukphyu.