- Web Master
- September 03, 2024
As the military council
blocked the transportation routes in Rakhine State, which led to the
shortage of food items in the camps of internally displaced Muslim
persons, has finally pushed them to the brink of starvation.
"We are in a dire
situation at this moment. The price of essential commodities, including rice
grains, has increased to a sky high level. Now we are unable to buy
important commodities like rice, oil, or salt. The shortage of rice grains has
caused significant hardships," said a refugee from Kyauktalone camp in
Kyauk Phyu township.
A woman from Kyauktalone
Muslim IDP camp informed Narinjara News that since 13 November, when the
fighting resumed in the Rakhine region, the military council blocked both
the land and waterways and it caused a heavy price rise for essential
commodities.
"Lately we have not
received stipends from the WFP. We are surviving with broken rice
and the fish becomes out of our affordable items. Our food options are now
confined to radish, water spinach, and roselle. Providing snacks to the
children in the morning hours becomes difficult for us. My husband has lost his
job and he started using a motorbike sidecar. With the roads being closed, he
becomes unemployed again. Even arranging a meal with a single curry becomes a
tough job for us,” she added.
In the Nget Chaung IDP camp
of Pauktaw township, the refugees used to rely on Sittwe and Pauktaw
townships for food supplies. However, with the current road closure,
prices of various goods are escalating. There is a growing concern
that the camp will face a severe crisis of food items in the coming days.
"Livelihood becomes an
extremely difficult affair here. If food supplies are not maintained within the
next week, the refugees will starve. The entire State is facing
difficulties. Eighty percent of the population can afford a meal per day.
There is no chili. Regarding the curry, we can have only water spinach
items. I can't even grow vegetables outside as we are not allowed to leave the
camp. Now that the fighting is going on, the camp leaders have prohibited us
from going outside,” he explained.
Likewise, in the Sin Tet Maw
IDP camp of Pauktaw township, a woman refugee stated that they were
encountering numerous problems.
"The stipends provided
by the WFP did not arrive last month, and not this month as well. Rice prices
are high, and hence we are facing hardships. It becomes
difficult for us to access the healthcare facilities," she
added.
Furthermore, a woman from Thet Kae
Pyin IDP camp in Sittwe township revealed that they are running out
of rice grains at home. The price of essential goods is increasing. If you fall
ill and lack financial resources to collect the medicines, it may bring
horrible days for you. Even pregnant women are deprived of medical
attention, she claimed.
Due to the renewed conflict,
the military forces have blocked both the land and waterways, resulting
in increasing difficulties not only for the local population but also IDP
camps.