The ongoing blockageof communication and trade routes by the militarycouncil has resulted in severe food shortagesand it has shifted the internally displaced persons (IDPs) inPaletwa township ofChin State to a famine likesituation.

Anaffected individual informed that over twothousand refugees in Paletwa localityare facing a crisis of insufficientfood supplieswhere the price of essentialcommodities are soaring in the market.

"The refugeesare resorting to selling their belongings forsurvival. The rice grains providedby the World Food Programme (WFP)remain inaccessible because of militaryrestrictions. Many are in fact starving in the camp as they cannot afford to collect food items,” he added.

The IDPs in Paletwaclaimed that they had received the last food aid from the WFP in October.

There are five IDPcamps in Paletwa hosting a population over 2,000residents.

A large number of IDPsin the area are earningtheir livelihood working as dailylaborers.

The concernedIDPs fled from their villages as the conflict surfaced in2018 and 2019.

According to a woman refugee,Paletwa is currently devoid of jobopportunities due to the junta’s restrictions on the entryand exit of vehicles.

"There are noemployment opportunities here in Paletwa right now. A single bag of rice costsover MMK 100,000. How can we afford to buy  food items? With no income insight, the refugees are waiting for generous help from outside,” she added.

Followingthe renewed gun fighting inPaletwa locality since 13November, the cost of edible oil surged toMMK 12,000 per litre and Paw San Hmwerice up to MMK 150,000per bag. The supply of eggs remains insufficient.

Since 13 November, thejunta authorities have blocked both landand water ways to Paletwa and also manyRakhine townships.

Moreover, PaletwaTownship has been disconnected from the Internet for more than two years by theMilitary Council.

Lately, the ArakanArmy (AA) has captured Tarawaing tactical operation command base in Paletwa townshipon 4 December. Lateron 10 December, the AA declared the complete capture of another base thatis Nonebu tactical operation command base.