May 10th, 2022
More than 1,000 refugees from Mahamuni Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Kyauktaw Township are in urgent need of aid as the fire engulfed the IDP camp, according to refugees and in-charges.
A patron monk of the IDP camp said: “Fire broke out at around 1 am. This is candle fire. The people from nearby villages could put out the fire at around 3 am. The fire engulfed 262 houses. The IDPs are facing livelihood difficulties. There are around 170 houses left at the IDP camp. There were no reports of injuries. Temporary huts are very close.”
A local from Kyauktaw said: “I think the fire caused by the candle is not an exact answer. The IDP camp is population density. The people have a doubt that the candle was lit at 1 am when the people were sleeping.”
U Zaw Zaw Tun, Secretary of the Rakhine Ethnic Congress (REC) said: “A total of 1,705 people are homeless. Currently, the IDPs are allowed to temporarily take shelter at Dhammayone and the teaching ward. They face accommodation difficulties as it is raining. The IDP committee provides them with cash to buy food, through its fund.
The authorities did not rush to the incident to check the situation till 3 pm this afternoon, the refugees say.
A local said: “There are many military regiments and units near the IDP camp. The police station is located near the IDP camp.”
Similarly, some soldiers of the military council stood guard near the IDP camp after the fire, some locals from Kyauktaw say.
“I heard the news that the members of the State Administration Council arrived there. Security members are deployed at Thayichaung bridge near Thayettabin and Mahamuni pagoda. I saw three Faw cars,” a local from Kyauktaw said.
The IDPs are in need of tents, toilets and medicine.
The people along Kyauktaw-Paletwa Road have been living at the IDP camp for nearly two years due to the clashes between the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) and the military.
Sent by the NMG.