Narinjara News, 17 September 2022

The Burmese junta authority has banned NGOs and INGOs from visiting six townships of Arakan (Rakhine) Statewith effect from Friday to providefood and other relief items, alleged a local NGO worker.

“All NGOs and INGOs have been restricted from traveling to the townships of Maung Daw, Buthidaung,Rathedaung, Mrauk U, Min Bya and Maebonwhere there are many Rakhine IDPs and Muslim refugees,” said the worker.

“We have already received the notice. So we can not go to those townshops to support the refugeesthere,” informed the worker, who wantedanonymity.

Colonel Kyaw Thura,  the security and border affairs minister of Rakhine State, informed the NGOs on 15September about the restriction,but it is not clear for how long it will be implemented.

Aung Kyaw Win, in-charge of Taungmin Kala camp in Kyauk Taw township, asserted that more than 400 IDPs willface great difficulties because ofthe junta’s prohibition.

"If the government supplies the ration it will be fine. Otherwise it would be problematic for the refugees.Now the government is not helpingthose people. The military council should reconsider the decision to ban both NGOs and INGOs,” added the camp in-charge.

he social welfare, relief and resettlement ministry used to provide rice and other food items to theRakhine IDPs, but since the military couplast year, the support system has collapsed. Now the junta has prohibited the NGO workers in visitingthe people for help.

For some time, the military council has been fighting withArakan Army members in RakhineState. The authority has also blocked a number of land and water transport routes. So many families are living now without food and other necessary items.

For the last five months, the IDPs have not received rations from the rescue & repatriation departmentunder the military council. Now the IDPshave to spend Kyats 18,000 provided by WFP per person per month.

Daw Ma Aye Khin from Taungminkula IDP refugee camp said that one who doesnot help others should not prohibitothers to do the same.