What are the hopes for the IDPs to return home? What are the challenges of returning home?
Internally Displaced People (IDPs) who are victims of the military conflict between the military council force and the Arakan Army (AA) have been living under a difficult lifestyle for almost five years now, suffering various hardships.
The IDPs want to get out of the hardships, but they end up hoping for a journey home in a reality that is still impossible.
The Development Media Group (DMG) interviewed the IDPs about their hopes and challenges to return home.
Daw May Gyi (IDP, Meelatwa village, Paletwa Township)
“My desire to return home is the same as the thirst. If we go home, there are all kinds of bombs, weapons, and bullets in the village. I don’t dare to think about it. Living at an IDP camp faces all kinds of difficulties such as food and accommodation. Some IDPs are suppressed when they go to the market. It is impossible for us to rely on a monthly cash assistance of Ks-27,000 provided by the organization for the whole month. Our family has no breadwinner. My husband is old. Another concern is the education of my children. My son failed the matriculation exam. I lost all my belongings.
Daw Ma Than Kin (IDP, Aungtharsi village, Rathedaung Township)
“I want to go home. When I am sick, I miss my home very much. I have many family members. It is very difficult to stay here. There is no place to rest or sleep. It is very hot as we have to use tarpaulin sheets as roofs. I have a burning desire to go home. I miss my home very much. We face difficulty in the availability of food. We have to rely on donations. We have no regular job. We face more difficulties here than my native place.
U Maung Aye Kyaw (IDP, Pyintan village, Kyauktaw Township)
“I want to return home. The government organizations are required to rebuild houses as our houses and villages are burned down. We can go home only after the army withdraws and clears landmines. I have a burning desire to return home. It is very difficult for the family to live in a very narrow room. We also have health problems.”
Ma Khin Aye Than (IDP, Aungtharsi village, Rathedaung Township)
“I have a burning desire to return to my village. I miss my village very much. Sometimes I felt it to the point of crying. I will be okay in my own village. My family will not live like that. My younger brother and sisters will attend the school. Now both Grade-11 and Grade-7 students have quitted the school. I feel sorry. We are not rich people. But, if the brothers and sisters are working, they can go to school easily in the village. There are many inconveniences here.”
U Aung Phoe Than (IDP, Nwar Yone Taung village, Buthidaung Township)
“If I could go back to my house today, I would go back today. I earn my living by farming in my own farms there. I have to abandon my home and farms. I can’t forget my native land. In my village, I do agriculture farming and travelling. I do agriculture farming in the rainy season. In summer, I travel with cattle. If I get rice from your own farm, I can do whatever I want. I can eat enough if I myself search for fish and pick vegetables.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG)