Lu Htet Naing

Narinjara News, 28 May 2024

The United Nations OCHA Myanmar reported on 24 May that theoutbreak of diarrheal diseases in Arakan (Rakhine) State widely spreads, wherearound 1.6 million people still lack access to hospital care.

"At the height of the dry season, water scarcityand cases of acute watery diarrhoea are widely reported. An estimated 1.6 million people lack accessto healthcare in central and northern Rakhine regions," said a statement.

The humanitarian situation in Arakan State is also alarmingdue to ongoing fighting and a worrying resurgence of inter-communal tensions. Despitesoaring humanitarian needs, the access restrictions remain severe, stated the UN OCHAMyanmar.

“The humanitarian crisis in Myanmar has entered a dangerousnew chapter with entrenched conflict posing grave risks to civilians, stirring aworrying resurgence of inter-communal tension and driving record levels of displacement,” addedthe statement.

In Karen State, an intense battle for control over keyborder trading town of Myawaddy resulted in both internal displacement and fleeing ofcross-border population. An estimated 4,000 people from Myawaddy town and surrounding areas weredisplaced along the Myanmar-Thailand border.

"As the monsoon season approaches, strong winds andheavy rain have already hit several townships in Chin, Magway, Sagaing, and northern Shan areas,damaging and destroying civilian properties and other structures. Despite thesechallenges, humanitarian partners in Myanmar continue to deliver assistance to the people inneed, reaching almost one million people during the first quarter of 2024," assertedthe statement.

The 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) remainsalarmingly under- resourced, with only 10 percent of required funds received,said the financial tracking service. 

Despite the deepening needs, the surge in new displacement,and soaring inflation have further stretched the grossly insufficient resources acrossclusters, concluded the statement.