UN relief agency urges junta to allow unfettered aid activities in Arakan State

By Admin 18 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
18 November 2023, Sittwe

The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Myanmar has requested that all roads and waterways be opened to free travel so that humanitarian activities can be carried out for those in need of aid in Arakan State.

The ongoing clashes have resulted in the displacement of 26,175 people (4,765 households) across Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Myebon, Ponnagyun, Pauktaw, and Rathedaung townships, UNOCHA Myanmar said in a statement on November 17.

Thousands of people displaced by fighting are in urgent need of food, clothes and healthcare services.

“We were able to bring a little rice. We are facing difficulties cooking due to heavy rains. We currently share meals provided by the monastery. We will likely face various hardships if we do not receive relief supplies,” said an IDP woman from Pauktaw.

Relief groups are having difficulties providing assistance to those in need as the junta has blocked all major roads and waterways since November 13.

Key transport routes and waterways between Sittwe-Yangon and within various townships have been restricted, impacting civilian movement and the delivery of humanitarian aid, UNOCHA Myanmar said.

“We are currently staying at our friend’s home. We may face many difficulties if we are unable to return home for a few days. We would like to request relief groups to provide for IDPs,” said a resident of Pauktaw who is currently taking refuge in a rural village.

In affected townships in Arakan State and Paletwa, most humanitarian activities have been suspended due to the resurgence of conflict, increased security scrutiny, road and waterway blockades, and movement restrictions between urban and rural areas, UNOCHA Myanmar said.

Civil society organisations have said that the junta’s travel restrictions in Arakan State and the restriction of humanitarian aid workers are causing more suffering to the affected residents.