November 30, 2022
Refugees in Arakan State said they don’t dare to return to their villages although the military council and the Arakan Army (AA) have made an informal ceasefire through mutual understanding.
Since August, 2022, intense fighting between the AA and the military council has resumed. Both sides made an informal ceasefire on November 26.
The number of paddy growing areas in Arakan State has declined by around 30 per cent due to climate change, rising fertilizer prices and rising fuel price. Farmers are unable to harvest paddy due to Myanmar’s army shootings. The public are facing big difficulties, U Khaing Thu Kha, information officer of the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) said.
Despite the ceasefire, the refugees don’t dare to go home as the military council troops are stationed near the village.
Ma Htay Htay, a refugee from Baungdwat village in MraukU Township said: “Battalion-377 and attalion-378 are located near Baungdwat village. We fled to safer places as the army fired weapons into the village. We don’t dare to go home as long as they are stationed there. The people will dare to go home if there is a security guarantee that fighting will not occur and that soldiers will not enter the village.”
More than 1000 locals from Pauktawpyin, Baungdwat, Oukphokan, Phayaouk, Kyarchay and Panmyaung villages are taking shelter in Myatasaung IDP camp in MraukU Township.
“The IDPs return to their villages to harvest paddy when the ceasefire is made. It is impossible for all the IDPs to go home,” Ma Oo Mya Yi, an in-charge of Myo Lae Chaung IDP camp says.
An IDP from Kyaukseik village in Ponnagyun Township said: “We fled for safety as Battalion-550 fired heavy shells into our village. Nobody knows when fighting will erupt although the region is peaceful following the ceasefire. The ceasefire has no time limit. What will happen if fighting erupts when we return to our village? I am worried about the safety of my family and children.”
Ko Than Aye, an in-charge of Nyaungchaung IDP camp in Kyauktaw Township, where 3,400 people are taking shelter said: “No one said they want to go home after the ceasefire. They have no villages and homes. Almost all people in Tinma and Pyaingtaing lost their houses. No one will go home although there is no fighting.”
The IDPs call for reconstruction and mine clearance in order that the IDPs who lost their houses in the fighting can go home.
The IDPs find it difficult to earn their living in their villages. The IDPs are facing livelihood difficulties as they don’t get aid.
Fighting may erupt at any time as both the AA and the military have not signed the contracts and pledges despite an informal ceasefire through mutual understanding, said U Khaing Thu Kha, information officer of the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) at a press conference on November 28.
The number of locals who are displaced by the fighting which occurred in 2018 and 2020 and resumed in August, 2022 in Arakan State, has exceeded 90,000, according to the UNOCHA’s report.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG)