K40,000 in pandemic relief provided for IDP families in Buthidaung Twsp 

By Kyaw Myo Aung 02 Sep 2020

Kyaw Myo Aung | DMG
2 September, Maungdaw

The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement on September 1 provided K40,000 (US$30) per family to war refugees in Buthidaung Township, with the government cash assistance intended as financial relief during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in Arakan State. 

“This is provided under the COVID-19 economic relief plan. It is the first time here,” said U Maung Maung Gyi, assistant director of the Office of Disaster Management in Maungdaw District. 

A total of 2,051 households across nine IDP camps in Buthidaung Township were provided the relief funding. 

“We appreciated providing K40,000 for each family although it is not enough for us,” said Ko Wai Thar Khaing, manager of Myaung Nar IDP camp, one of the nine camps. “We are facing troubles for our livelihoods because we cannot go outside to work due to the COVID-19 outbreak.” 

IDPs in Buthidaung Township are primarily the former residents of 30 villages who fled their homes beginning in January 2019 due to clashes in the township.  

The number of IDPs in Arakan State has risen to about 200,000 as the conflict between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army has dragged on, according to figures from the Rakhine Ethnics Congress.