WFP says it continues to provide food to IDPs in Arakan State

By Admin 08 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
8 April 2024, Sittwe

The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced that it has been providing food to those who have fled their homes due to the military conflict in Arakan State and plans to continue distributing food in the central and northern parts of Arakan State next week.

WFP announced on April 8 that it distributed emergency food to nearly 20,000 internally  displaced people (IDPs) in northern Arakan State between March 19 and April 8. The food was distributed despite the difficulties of intensifying fighting and communication disruptions, WFP said.

“As the fighting went on, the food demand of the people displaced by the fighting on the ground also increased. IDPs are in urgent need of food and shelter due to extreme heat. IDPs face more hardships as relief items supplied by the international organisations are not enough for them,” said an IDP in Ponnagyun Township.

As the military conflict in Arakan State escalates, the number of IDPs is increasing, and the need for emergency assistance such as food, shelter, medicine and drinking water is also on the rise.

During the latest fighting, the number of IDPs increased by more than 290,000, and the total number of IDPs in Arakan State has reached more than 350,000, according to the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO).

“International organisations need to provide more support to IDPs. International organisations may also experience delays in helping IDPs due to the regime’s road blockages. It is true that the livelihood of IDPs on the ground is bad,” said one aid worker.