Thousands of Arakan State flood victims need aid

By Admin 23 Jul 2025

DMG Newsroom

23 July 2025, Mrauk-U

Incessant rains in Arakan State at the end of June caused widespread flooding, with more than 12,000 people across eight townships in need of assistance, according to the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO) of the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA).

The HDCO said that the floods in eight townships - Taungup, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung and Maungdaw - have damaged homes, roads and bridges, and caused disruption to transportation and deaths.

According to HDCO data, flood victims include 12,249 people from 3,461 households from over 90 villages, including displacement camps.

"When the water level rises, we have to climb the mountains to escape, so it's not easy to cook and eat. People who rely on the forests and mountains for their livelihoods are also struggling because of the flooding," said Daw Yi Yi Aye, an internally displaced person (IDP) from Gayartaung displacement camp in Mrauk-U Township.

There are more than 600,000 IDPs in Arakan State, many of whom are in need of food, accommodation and healthcare services.

Most of the flooded areas have received little assistance and are currently in urgent need of food, shelter, seeds, and healthcare supplies, including sanitary pads.

"We want to receive assistance. So far, no group has come to help the flood victims. After the flooding, mosquitoes have increased. We are worried that the flood victims will get malaria and flu," said a resident of Sabarseik Village in Kyauktaw Township.

Local people in Arakan State are struggling particularly this rainy season, as they are affected by the military conflict, bad weather, and rising commodity prices.

Farmers say paddy plantations in areas such as Kyauktaw and Mrauk-U were also damaged by floodwaters.The HDCO urges local organisations to help flood-affected areas in Arakan State.