UNOCHA worried about high risk of floods

20 Jul 2019

Nay Yaung Min | DMG

20 July, Sittwe

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) issued a report on 19 July in which it said people displaced by conflicts in Arakan State over the last six months were considerably vulnerable due to the four-day flooding that began on 10 July. 

“There is some concern over Muslims living in villages and in camps for internally displaced people in at-risk areas who are also more vulnerable due to restrictions on freedom of movement in those areas,” the report said.

It also said that the UNOCHA and humanitarian partners continue to monitor the situation closely although there was no official request from the Arakan State government for assistance.

The report warned that the situation remained hard to predict and could quickly change. It also suggested to maintain preparation measures, which has been done effectively so far because it’s the beginning of the monsoon season.

“Should flooding later in the season become particularly severe, improved humanitarian access will be crucial for a timely and effective humanitarian response,” the report said.

The Myanmar government said that about 10,000 people have been evacuated during the flooding in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya townships, Arakan State. The recent floods destroyed houses and about 70,000 acres of paddy field. Local residents lost their livestock also during the flooding.

More than 45,000 people are estimated to have been displaced by flooding in Arakan, Kachin, Mon and Chin states and Mandalay, Bago, Sagaing and Magwe regions in Myanmar, the report said.