The United Nations (UN) and INGOs based in Arakan State are preparing to leave as the war has been intensifying day by day and the scope of the war has been widening in Arakan State, according to reliable INGO sources.
The UN and international INGOs, which are carrying out the delivery of humanitarian aid and relief work in Arakan State, are already planning to leave Arakan State, said an INGO source who declined to be named.
“The UNOCHA is planning to take the lead. The OCHA is leading the plan for the departure of other INGOs including WFP and UNHCR. Other INGOs in Buthidaung and Maungdaw are also planning to withdraw. We have planned to move machineries in the days to come,” the INGO source said.
INGOs based in Buthidaung and Maungdaw plan to move to Sittwe first and then leave Sittwe, he continued.
The withdrawal of UN and INGOs from Arakan State is a worrying situation at a time when humanitarian aid and relief work is urgently needed for the IDPs trapped in the war, said a person helping the IDPs in Ramree.
“In such a situation, if the groups like WFP and UNHCR, which are providing aid, leave, the life of Arakan IDPs is unimaginable. I don’t want them to leave in such a time of need. The IDPs in Myanmar, including Arakan State, are living in dire straits. We alone are not in a position to support them,” a person helping the IDPs in Ramree said.
A woman from Thet Kal Pyin Muslim IDP camp in Sittwe said: “I know they are worried about intensifying military situations. Under this circumstance, the IDPs can’t earn a living. Even now, we have to rely on rations.”
Since 13 November 2023, fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military council has intensified again. The ongoing fighting has displaced more than 300,000 locals from Ramree, Kyauktaw, MraukU, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Pauktaw, Minbya, Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships in Arakan State, according to Arakan social relief teams.
The Narinjara still contacts the UNOCHA office to confirm the news that INGOs including the UN, will leave Arakan State. Further developments will be covered if the Narinjara receives a response from the UNOCHA office.
Sent by Narinjara