A female Byaing Phyu villager said: "It was not a rumour that women were raped. We heard screams and 'Please, don't! I beg of you.'"

U Tun Naing used to be the breadwinner of the five-member family, who survived on his daily income. The burden to provide fell on the shoulders of his wife after he lost his leg.

Local people in the Arakan State capital Sittwe are worried about the danger of landmines as junta soldiers have planted them around the city and at entry and exit security checkpoints.

Daw Aye Kyi is currently in her second trimester, and said that fortunately, there are currently no known health risks for her or the baby.

Residents say the arson attacks intended to incite racial hatred came after the regime suffered a string of military defeats in Arakan State, losing large swaths of territory in northern Arakan State over five months of fighting.

Written by Zwe Thit

“I shook her, but she did not regain consciousness. My mother died in my hands, bleeding. I saw her die,” said Maung Naing Soe Lin, a 17-year-old teenager from Pauktaw town.

His mother died in a battle in Pauktaw town following renewed fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) that began in November.

Maung Naing Soe Lin is the younger son of a six-member family. They lived in No. 1 Ward in Pauktaw...

Students in rural parts of coastal Arakan State have no option but to choose water transport for schooling. Boat accidents are not unusual in the state.

Written by Myat Swe

It was a characteristically rainy monsoon season day, and Ma Khin Win Chay was alone inside her home, sitting on a chair. The roof was leaking and drop after drop of rainwater was falling on her. But she could not move, and was looking out the window for a passer-by to ask for help.

“I am immobile. I spent that whole day sitting on the chair. I can no longer work,” she said.

More than 1,000...

Companies will post job advertisements at labour offices and ward and village administration offices, and will often interview local applicants. But locals say they never get the jobs.

“Business owners had mangrove trees removed to build fish and prawn farms. So, we have lost our fishing spots,” said Daw Thein Win Yi, from Linpankya Village.

“I have lost everything, not even a pot was left,” said Daw Than Than, shedding tears.

“My granddaughter has not talked to anyone for nearly two months. She has barely responded when I talk to her,” said Daw Sandar, Ma Akyaw May’s grandmother.

Like Ma Honey Tun, three other women between the ages of 22 and 26 were also trafficked by brokers to Iraq, where they say they are trapped and helpless.

Daw Win Mya Yi, who is shouldering the responsibility of caring for three children, once had big hopes but now lives day-to-day.

Written By Gaung and Htet Aung

The air was filled with a pervasive smell from the hundreds of dead cattle that lay scattered across paddy fields on both sides of the road.

Ignoring the order in place, U Maung Thar Cho, 60, was dashing through fields, searching for his five cows, hoping that they were still alive after he discovered that at least three of his eight cows were killed by Cyclone Mocha, which hit Arakan State in mid-May.

“My...

“Even the Muslims told me to continue to serve in this position until my death. They say so because of my impartiality regardless of race and religion,” 

“He would not have died if the cottage hospital in our village had a doctor,” said Daw Ma Khin Thein, 55.

“I did nothing wrong, and they have done this to me. My dreams and hopes are all shattered.”

“If I go back home when stability and peace is restored in Myanmar, I don’t even know how to make a living with one eye and one leg,”