Hardships push Arakanese IDPs in Yangon back to Sittwe

Thinzar Nwe, Narinjara News, 25 September 2024

Many families,  who fled the conflicts in Arakan State due to the military situation to Yangon in mainland Burma,  are now returning back because of rising house rents and hardships in living conditions.

A displaced man from Sittwe, now living in Yangon, told Narinjara News that a large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) are returning to their home places. He argued that the steep rise in rental prices, lack of employment opportunities, racial discrimination and overall difficult living conditions were driving them to return back.

"Many Arakanese IDPs, who fled to Yangon, are now going back to Sittwe. They were struggling in the mainland due to unemployment and soaring rental costs, which has gone muh higher in July and August,” he added.

The monthly rent for an apartment on the 7th and  8th floors used to cost over Kyats 100,000 to 200,000. Now, it costs up to Kyats 300,000. The apartments on the 3rd floor were available for Kyats  200,000 per unit and now it costs Kyats 500,000.  The ground-floor apartments were previously rented for Kyats 400,000 to 500,000 and now per unit costs Kyats 1,200,000 to 1,300,000.

In other townships  namely Kyauk Myaung, Tarmwe, Thingangyun and Dawbon also,  the house rent rose dramatically.

A local man from Sittwe, who fled the conflict to Yangon, told Narinjara News that if any family member or relative come to stay with the tenants, the landlord may ask to leave the house.

A local woman from Sittwe stated that many families, who fled the conflicts, are now struggling to survive in Yangon as they are running out of resources.

"Over time, families like ours are facing a lot of difficulties. Our savings are depleted and finding a job in Yangon becomes too difficult. There may be arrests and we have to register as overnight guests. As the Arakanese, we are facing all kinds of problems here in Yangon," she added.

Since March, most of Sittwe’s residents fled to mainland cities like Yangon and Naypyidaw fearing the outbreak of gun fighting.

Meanwhile, the  Arakanese individuals who hold 11/National Registration Cards  often face travel restrictions in the former capital city of Myanmar. (File photo)