Mosquito nets urgently needed for IDPs in Kyaukphyu

By Admin 01 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

1 August 2026, Kyaukphyu

Dengue fever cases have been reported in several internally displaced person (IDP) camps in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, where residents face limited access to healthcare and an acute shortage of mosquito nets, according to aid workers.

Displaced people sheltering in Sanae Town and the Zinchaung area of Kyaukphyu Township are among those affected by dengue fever.

"While delivering sanitary supplies to one camp, a child contracted dengue fever and had to be hospitalized. Despite the presence of dengue fever, many villages lack sufficient mosquito nets. While some donors prioritize pregnant women and the elderly when distributing nets, many households remain unassisted," said Ma Aye May, chairperson of the Emergency Relief Group (ERG) Kyaukphyu.

Healthcare workers from the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) conduct field visits to IDP camps in Kyaukphyu Township. However, aid workers said overcrowded camps and shortages of medicine continue to hamper healthcare services.

"Health workers do conduct mobile visits, but they face their own constraints. Visits are not always regular. Sometimes they come weekly, while other times three weeks pass without a visit. Even when they arrive, medical supplies are insufficient. For example, if 10 people have a fever, they might only have enough medicine for five," she added.

Due to the shortage of mosquito nets, some displaced families burn wood at night to create smoke to repel mosquitoes.

Another female aid worker assisting IDPs in Kyaukphyu said: "Dengue cases transmitted through mosquito bites are increasing. Donations from the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO) under the ULA and other organizations usually provide only one mosquito net per household. For families with teenage sons and daughters, a single net is not enough. Those without mosquito nets have no choice but to rely on smoke."

Aid workers said IDPs in camps across Kyaukphyu Township also urgently need food supplies and women's hygiene items, including sanitary pads and undergarments.

More than 60,000 displaced people are currently sheltering in Kyaukphyu Township.

Fierce clashes between the military junta and the Arakan Army continue in Kyaukphyu Township, forcing residents to flee their homes to escape junta airstrikes and naval artillery shelling.