Rakhine State IDPs grapple with difficulties due to food shortage

 After five months of resurgent conflict, the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Rakhine State are experiencing difficulties with food shortages.

A woman, who fled to a village under  Ponnagyun township from  Min Gan village under  Sittwe township, said that some IDPs escaped with just one piece of cloth. They now reside in tents on barren  land and fields, sharing food among themselves. However, due to the prolonged conflict, they are encountering serious food shortages.

"Some individuals, who can afford it, are renting houses in  villages, while most of us live in tents. Recently, the tarpaulins were blown away due to the rain, as we reside in the fields. Some women brought only two pairs of clothes. Some fled with their children. A few of them are resorting to begging because they lack sufficient food supplies. Even those who fled early are facing hardships. The situation is even tougher for those who escaped later," she added.

According to a list, released by the Arakan Army (AA) on 29 February, there are more than 300,000 IDPs across Rakhine State following the eruption of conflict between the AA fighters and Myanmar military junta forces since 13 October 2023.

The conflict has persisted for over five months now, leading to significant hardships to IDPs in various  townships.

According to local social activists, the townships with the largest numbers of IDPs include Sittwe, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Ponnagyun, Pauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Ann, Kyaukphyu, and Taungup.

A young man engaged in social relief work from  Ponnagyun said, "We encounter beggars in our vicinity. The seasonal  rain brought strong wind that made it very difficult for those in tents  and residing under trees. We have to appeal for donations (tarpaulins) to rebuild the shelters."

The women and children are suffering from malnutrition and urgently need access to healthcare (as women lack menstrual pads), he asserted.

The civilians and IDPs are being killed and injured by the junta’s airstrikes on residential areas, even where there is no ongoing conflict. Many children also died.

Moreover, following the junta's imposition of conscription law, the residents are fleeing from townships including Sittwe to avoid military harassment under the law. So the number of IDPs is only increasing.