Over 7,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) taking refuge in Thandwe Township, Arakan State, are in urgent need of rice and medicine, according to those assisting them.
Currently, around 170 bags of rice are needed to support the IDPs for one week. The cost for these 170 bags of rice is estimated at Ks-20 million, according to those assisting the IDPs.
A person helping the IDPs said: “Initially, we had to provide food for around 2,000 people. Now, the number of IDPs has exceeded 7,000, and there are insufficient rations. The primary need is rice, followed by health supplies. Donations, both local and foreign, are very limited. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the Thandwe conflict is the longest-running.”
The IDPs are currently receiving rations through funds from local and foreign donors, but more donations are urgently needed, aid workers said.
The IDPs in Thandwe Township include locals as well as people from Gwa Township and Kyeintali town. They are being accommodated in various areas throughout Thandwe Township.
Since 13 April, clashes between the Arakan Army (AA) and junta forces have been ongoing in Thandwe Township.
As a result, some Thandwe residents have fled to the plain area and other liberated areas, while others have sought refuge in safe places within Thandwe.
On 4 September, the AA took full control of the Maung Shwe Lay Naval base, the last junta camp in Thandwe Township. However, residents are still unable to return home due to the junta’s ongoing airstrikes.
As fighting continues between Gwa and Kyeintali, residents have fled to Thandwe, as well as to Yangon and Ayeyarwady Regions.
Since November 2023, the military council has blocked roads and water routes to cut off trade and communication between Arakan State and the mainland. This strategy aims to create shortages of food and medicine and exacerbate hunger among the Arakan people.
The road and water route blockades have made it difficult to transport rice rations and has led to a shortage of medicines for the displaced people in Arakan State, those assisting the IDPs in Thandwe.
He said, “We are facing livelihood challenges due to the blockages of roads and waterways. There is no medicine left, including for pregnant women, diabetes, and hypertension. Despite this, we are doing our best to obtain food and medicines.”
Since 25 July, the military council has restricted the transport of more than 10 pyi of rice from Ayeyarwaddy Region to Gwa Township. By the third week of August, the junta imposed a complete ban on rice transport, according to those assisting the IDPs.
The residents of Gwa and Thandwe mainly rely on rice supplies from Ayeyarwady Region. They are experiencing great difficulty as the junta has banned transport of rice, aid workers said.
Sent by Narinjara
