Youth philanthropists step up to meet needs in Mrauk-U District

By DMG 20 Aug 2021

DMG Newsroom
20 August 2021, Mrauk-U 

Local youth organisations in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U District have provided basic food items to support families and members of the grassroots who are struggling to make ends meet during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Basic foodstuffs such as rice, cooking oil, iodised salt, dried chili and onion were supplied to those who have no regular income during the Covid-19 pandemic, the grassroots and households led by women in some villages and wards, said Ko Nay Nyein Chan, chairman of the Minbya Youth Association.  

“People cannot go outside for work for the time being. The grassroots, widows, the unemployed, chronic patients and people with disabilities are struggling to make ends meet amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic because the stay-at-home period has also been extended in Arakan State. We prioritised those people when providing food supplies,” he said. 

So far, youth organisations have provided food to more than 500 families in more than 10 villages and two camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Minbya Township, and will continue to provide assistance as the pandemic drags on, Ko Nay Nyein Chan added.  

Youth organisations in Mrauk-U Township have contributed food items worth more than K15 million to 500 people in downtown Mrauk-U and displaced people from IDP camps such as Tin Nyo, Narkan and Pazun Phae, said Ko Khaing Min Shin, chairman of the Mrauk-U Youth Association.   

“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, protective equipment for the virus was donated to those in need. I am also happy with the support on that side. We need to support poor families in our hometowns. There is little to no support for the poor. I think all people are facing various hardships during these difficult times,” he explained.  

He also urged support for families in other townships, not just Mrauk-U, who are struggling to make ends meet.  

The youth organisations are reportedly funded by contributions from local and foreign donors, with donors’ continued support needed to continue to provide for those in need. 

The Kyauktaw Youth Association is planning to donate rice and virus protective equipment to the IDPs at Taung Min IDP camp, said Ko Aung Hein Lin, vice chairman of the group.  

Civil society organisations in Mrauk-U Township say they have scheduled to supply basic foodstuffs to the IDP camps in the township for up to six months.