Travel ban imposed on NGOs and INGOs remains despite a ceasefire between the military council and the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State. The military council has banned the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the IDPs for more than six months, according to organizations.
“The military council continues to impose a travel ban despite a ceasefire. I heard the news that the roads are reopened,” an official of the INGO based in Arakan State told the Development Media Group (DMG).
Since July 18, this year, the military council has placed a travel ban on NGOs and INGOs in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, MraukU, Minbya and Myebon Townships as tension mounts between the military council and the AA.
Kyauktaw and Pauktaw Townships were added to the list in November.
Now, the military council continues to impose travel bans in eight townships of Arakan State. The military’s travel ban may hamper regional development and the delivery of humanitarian aid in Arakan State.
An official from Sittwe-based NGO said: “Our organization is mainly providing aid to the IDPs. However, we face a hindrance as we are not allowed to help the IDPs. We cannot do our work.”
When the DMG phoned Col Kyaw Thura, Arakan State Security and Border Affairs Minister and Arakan State Advocate-General U Hla Thein who is also spokesperson of the Arakan State Administration Council to seek comment about travel bans on NGOs and INGOs, they were not available for comments.
Since late August, intense fighting between the army and the AA has resumed. On November 26, both sides agreed to an informal ceasefire through a mutual understanding.
Daw Ma Win Phyu from Yan Aung Myay IDP camp in Buthidaung Township called for the immediate removal of restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
“In the past, we could cover the costs thanks to the donations by the NGOs and the INGOs. Now the price of rice has gone up. I have to live on a shoestring and borrow money. I have to repay loans when I have a job,” Daw Ma Win Phyu says.
Amid skyrocketing commodity prices, low employment and declining aid, the restrictions of the NGO and INGOs make the IDPs more difficult.
According to the UNOCHA’s statement on October 19, 16,000 people were displaced by the renewed fighting in Arakan State and Paletwa Township till October 11. Now, the total number of IDPs has reached more than 90,000.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG)