Survival is day-to-day for survivors of junta atrocities

By Admin 31 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
31 July 2024, Sittwe

Many who have lost limbs due to Myanmar regime artillery attacks, airstrikes and landmines in Arakan State are struggling to maintain livelihoods and face numerous other struggles in their everyday lives.

As a result of the regime’s road blockades, Arakan State’s people are suffering from scarcity of goods and rising prices. These difficulties weigh especially heavily on those who have lost limbs due to the regime’s attacks.

“I can’t work. My wife also has a small child, so it’s not convenient for us to work, so it’s very difficult for us to make ends meet,” said Maung Myo Naing, a man from Paikthae Village in Kyauktaw Township whose lost his right leg in a junta airstrike on his village in February. 

U Maung Aye, a local man from Ngalatkya Village in Ann Township, stepped on a landmine and lost one of his legs.

“Employment opportunities are scarce. I can’t work like others, so it’s more difficult to support my family. Even those who can work are struggling to make ends meet with rising commodity prices,” he said.

U Maung Aye lost his left leg after stepping on the landmine while going to a cashew farm near the village on April 30. Junta soldiers were once stationed at the cashew farm.

A woman from a civil society organisation in Arakan State said that people who have lost limbs or have otherwise faced disabilities due to junta attacks need physical and emotional support.

“People with disabilities need to be mentally uplifted to live harmoniously in society, and financial assistance is needed to make their living more convenient. Now, we can see that organisations are weak in cooperation in these matters,” she explained.

Hundreds of civilians have been injured in Arakan State and neighbouring Chin State’s Paletwa Township due to regime airstrikes, shellings and landmines since hostilities between the Myanmar military and Arakkha Army (AA) resumed in November.