Displaced IDPs increase up to 9600 in Rakhine and southern Chin State due to recent conflicts: UN

Narinjara News, 7 September 2022

No less than 9600 people have been displaced because of the ongoing military conflicts between the Burmese forces and Arakan Army members in various parts of Rakhine and Paletwa township of Chin State, said the UN.

As of 5 September, these people have fled their places and it has finally increased the total number of internally displaced people (IDPs) up to 84,000, stated in UN figures.

The UNOCHA report titled Escalation of Conflicts in Rakhine and southern Chin State was released on Tuesday and necessary concern was expressed on the rising tensions between the two armed forces since June where even heavy weapons and airstrikes are also used.

The new conflict emerged after a temporary ceasefire between the AA and military council, which had been in place since November 2020, had collapsed.

Most of the fighting incidents took place in the townships of Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Buthidaung and Mrauk-U (of Rakhine State) and Paletwa township of Chin State.

The government forces have blocked various key roads and waterways  to those localities preventing the movement of the civilians and even the humanitarian support, which is otherwise very much needed.

Now the local and international partners have been providing emergency assistance to the affected families where the access is permitted by the military council. But unfortunately many families remain unreachable to the authorities till now.

Financial support becomes the need of the hour for those families who are in need of food items, water and sanitation services, shelter and healthcare facilities. The UN report also emphasized on re-positioning of stocks before the escalation of clashes in the various localities.

(Photo: Many villagers in Rathedaung Township left their homes during the fierce fighting between AA and Junta forces on 31st August 2022. The photo was taken by Ashin Thabawa Nadi.)