There is an urgent need for medicines as the spread of skin disease continues to rise in the displacement camps in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, according to people who are helping Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The skin disease has been spreading since the end of 2024. Currently, nearly everyone living in the IDP camps is affected, and the infection is also spreading to nearby villages, according to displaced persons and relief workers.
“There have been cases where fluids and pus are oozing out, causing severe discomfort throughout the entire body. The reason the villagers are being exposed to the infections is that displaced children and village children attend school and play together, which has led to the transmission of the disease to some villagers,” said an official from the Kyaukphyu Township Emergency IDPs Relief and Rescue Committee.
There are approximately 13,000 displaced persons in Kyaukphyu Township, with around 600 of them temporarily housed by the Humanitarian and Development Cooperation Office (HDCO) in 13 camps.
Although the Humanitarian and Development Cooperation Office (HDCO) has provided medical assistance to displaced persons affected by skin diseases, including ointments, oral medications, and water purification tablets, reports indicate that the supplies are insufficient to fully contain spread of infections.
“HDCO provides as much medicine as possible, but some people are allergic to the medication given. Even if they buy medicine with their own money, they cannot afford to continue using it until the disease is cured, as the medication is expensive and hard to obtain,” said a female health worker treating displaced persons.
The high transmission rate of skin diseases among displaced persons is attributed to factors such as overcrowded living conditions in camps, contaminated drinking water, poor personal hygiene, limited health awareness, and a shortage of medical supplies.
Since the onset of the conflict in Arakan State, the military council has imposed a travel ban in Kyaukphyu Township, leaving locals to struggle with severe health issues, food shortages, and a lack of medicine.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG)
