August 15th, 2021
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are planning to provide assistance to the people at the IDP camps in MraukU Township in Arakan State as the IDP camps are facing a shortage of food.
U Ba Nyunt, Chair of the Mrauk-U CSO Network said: “The CSOs held a discussion as the IDPs informed us about a shortage of rations. The IDPs phoned us to donate medicine, rations and nutritious foods for children. We have not made detailed decisions about which role the CSOs will play in and how the CSOs will raise the funds?”
The CSOs on their parts face financial difficulty for the distribution of rations to the IDPs. Currently, the CSOs will use the remaining funds and collect money from donors to distribute foods to IDPs.
According to the MraukU CSO Network, a plan is under way to provide aid to the IDP camps in MraukU Township. Based on the availability of funds, it will provide aid to the IDP camps in other townships.
Since August 11, the ICRC has suspended its monthly supply of rice and other rations to the IDP camps in Arakan State, for unlimited days.
Ko Tun Naing Lin from the MraukU Township University Students’ Association said: “The suspension of food supplies makes the IDPs harder. The IDPs are unable to go outside to earn their living as it is the COVID-19 pandemic period. It is a worrying situation for the IDPs as they no longer get aid.
The people at Myatansaung, Sinbawkai, Tainbyo, Myothit, Zayditaung, Myougaung, Kyaukritkay and Shwehteesaung IDP camps in MraukU Township have to rely mainly on the ICRC’s supplies.
In its e-mail reply to the DMG’s question, the ICRC said the distribution of rations will face a delay due to the new restrictions on logistics set by the officials of the Arakan State government.
More than 100,000 IDPs are unable to go home due to various reasons although there has been no fighting in Arakan State for around 10 months.
The IDPs displaced by the fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Tatmadaw in Arakan State have to rely mainly on the assistance provided by the ICRC and the WFP and the government’s Disaster Management Department.
Written by Aung Htein (DMG)