Thousands of IDPs in remote Ponnagyun Twsp area face food shortages

By Admin 09 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
9 December 2023, Ponnagyun

Thousands of people displaced by fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) in Tawphyarchaung, a remote area in Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township, are reportedly facing food shortages.

Over 2,000 IDPs are currently taking refuge in Poeshweepyin Village. Although the residents of Poeshweepyin Village are providing the IDPs with food, the IDPs will reportedly run out of food items soon.

“We have made arrangements for IDPs to the best of our abilities. They [IDPs] have arrived here for months. Even residents in the village face food shortages due to the junta’s blockading of land and water routes. We will face livelihood hardships if we do not receive assistance,” said U Maung Myint Lin, a local man.

IDPs taking shelter in Poeshweepyin Village are from villages such as Yeyoepyin, Letwe Sartaik, Kuntaung and Myaygon in Ponnagyun Township and Manawthiri Village in Pauktaw Township, and some from Sittwe Township.

The IDPs left their homes due to the junta’s arson attacks and heavy weapons and small arms firings and are currently taking refuge in Poeshweepyin, Gantgar, Yahattaung, Pyainechaung, Cedipyin, Meldama and Pauktawpyin villages.

Residents from villages in the Tawphyarchaung area of Ponnagyun Township face difficulties in accessing education and healthcare due to poor mobile phone and internet access, and travel barriers.

“Thanks to local people’s help, we don’t face any difficulties. Local people also have their own hardships. We have now run out of food. We will definitely face difficulties if locals are unable to help us,” said Daw Khin May Aung, an IDP woman from Rathedaung Township.

Local people in Arakan State face shortages of food, medicine and fuel due to the junta’s blockading of roads.

As the regime has also banned humanitarian activities, IDPs are increasingly suffering from food shortages.

“We will go hungry in the long run. We would like to urge the regime to allow local charities and international organisations to help us,” said Daw Ma Aye Hla, an IDP woman from Thazi Village in Ponnagyun Township.
Tens of thousands of people have been displaced by the renewed fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) since November 13 in Arakan State.