Two children injured by UXO in Mrauk-U struggle to afford medical care

By Admin 23 Feb 2026

DMG Newsroom

23 February 2026, Mrauk-U

Two children from Waithali Village in Mrauk-U Township, Arakan State, who sustained severe injuries from unexploded remnants of war, are in urgent need of financial support for ongoing medical treatment.

In August 2025, an unexploded ordnance (UXO) detonated in Waithali Village, killing one child and injuring four others.

Among the survivors, 11-year-old Maung Phyo Nyein Naing continues to undergo surgeries. His mother, Daw Ma Soe Win, said shrapnel remains embedded in his body, but the family can no longer cover the mounting medical costs.

"My son is in constant pain right now. In our current situation, we can’t even afford a single clinic visit. Thinking about this makes me physically ill with worry," Daw Ma Soe Win said.

Another survivor, 11-year-old Maung Kaung Myat Tun, suffered life-altering injuries, including the removal of his spleen and major colon surgery. Like Maung Phyo Nyein Naing, fragments of the explosive remain in his body, but further operations have been delayed due to financial constraints.

"He has already had two surgeries. There are still fragments inside him. We’ve spent over K20 million because of the frequent clinic visits. We need to do more surgeries to remove the remaining pieces, but we have no idea where the money will come from," explained his mother, Daw Thein Yin Hla.

The children require regular follow-up appointments, costing between K100,000 and K300,000 per visit. Due to the long-term nature of their treatment, both families have exhausted their savings and struggle to continue care.

Casualties from landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) continue to rise in Arakan State, including among children.

Many victims endure prolonged suffering because they lack the financial means for ongoing medical care. Families affected by UXOs are calling for intensified awareness programs and humanitarian support for those injured by these remnants of war.