Lack of donors brings food shortages for Muslim IDPs in Arakan State

By Admin 18 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
18 May 2024, Sittwe

Muslim internally displaced people (IDPs) in Arakan State are reportedly facing food difficulties due to lack of humanitarian assistance and junta travel restrictions. Some Muslim IDPs said they have not received relief items since six months ago.

Muslim IDPs from several displacement camps in Sittwe Township are going hungry due to rising commodity prices caused by junta blockades of roads and waterways, said camp managers.

“Many people are going hungry. They don’t have rice or money. They are unemployed and lack regular income,” said an official from the Thetkelpyin IDP camp in Sittwe Township.

Previously, international organisations such as the World Food Programme (WFP), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Save the Children, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and other groups primarily provided relief items to Muslim IDPs. But the regime has banned local and international organisations from providing humanitarian aid to many of those in need in Arakan State since the post-Cyclone Mocha period in 2023.

“We received relief supplies from international organisations in the past. Now we lack international support. We had to sell our jewellery to buy food. We have no more ways to solve our livelihood hardships,” said a Muslim IDP woman in Sittwe Township.

About 30,000 Muslim IDPs in Pauktaw and Myebon townships are also facing food challenges during the latest fighting in Arakan State.

“We have no money to buy medicine even if we feel sick. We are facing livelihood hardships. We want to receive relief items from international organisations,” said an official from the Hnetchaung IDP camp in Pauktaw Township.

Tens of thousands of Muslim IDPs in Sittwe, Myebon and Pauktaw townships were displaced by the communal violence that rocked Arakan State in 2012.