IDP dies by hanging in Buthidaung Twsp camp

By Kyaw Myo Aung 15 Dec 2020

Kyaw Myo Aung | DMG
15 December 2020, Buthidaung 

A man sheltering at Yan Aung Myay IDP camp in Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township died by hanging himself at home on Tuesday morning, according to family members. 

“He had no problems with anyone at home. We are facing livelihood hardships amid the coronavirus pandemic. He earned his living as an odd-job worker. He could not return to the village, so he was depressed and thought he had to commit suicide,” the wife of the victim Daw Myint Myint Khin told DMG. 

The 40-year-old is survived by a 15-year-old, two 7-year-olds and a month-old baby girl, she added. 

The family of the victim has been in Yan Aung Myay IDP camp from Nwar Yone Taung village in Buthidaung Township for about two years due to fighting between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army, said Sayadaw U Ariyarwuntha.  

“Most IDPs are depressed because they have not been able to return home for more than two years. IDPs could not work and had to rely on rice provided by the relief organisations. IDPs face livelihood difficulties and seem to have no future,” the monk said.   

The victim was cremated at about 2 p.m. on December 15, according to family members.  

There are more than 1,000 IDPs at Yan Aung Myay IDP camp, and over 20 IDP camps in Buthidaung Township with a total population of more than 13,000 who have not been able to return to their homes due to the conflict.  

The number of IDPs in Arakan State at present has decreased to about 190,000 as over 30,000 IDPs have returned home recently with stability improving in their areas, according to data compiled by the Rakhine Ethnics Congress (REC).