Narinjara News, 26 October2022

Even thoughthe Myanmar military council has prohibitedthe social groups and domestic/foreign NGOs from providingassistance to the refugees in Rakhine State, theArakan National Party (ANP) continues supporting them with humanitarianaid, said a party leader.

Leader of the disaster reliefcommittee, U Ko Chay, asserted that the primary point is tohelp the IDPs who are currently living withdifficulties. The military council has banned in extendingany aid to the displaced people, but the ANP willcontinue to do so, he stated.

The ANP leaders held a meetingat its Sittwe-based central office on 23 October, where theyresolved to continue helping the IDPs.

Next day, theANP central office handed over Kyats 45 lakh (1.5 lakh pertownship) to three townships namely Rathedaung,Maungdaw and Buthidaung with an aim to support the refugees.

"We are not allowed to travel.Roads are routinely closed by the military council. So wehave transferred the amount to the people in charge ofthe township committees. We are extending the amount for donatingthe rice grain,” he added.

Theparticular ban in Rakhine State came to itsexistence on 25 September. It has targeted the localand international NGOs and also social groups. Withthe ban, an acute shortage of food items surfaced in therefugee camps and now many families are facing starvation.

"Ibelieve, the Burmese military council banthe food supplies with an aim to target Arakan Armymembers. But it has not hardly affectedthe AA, it has affected the common people. Most importantlythe IDPs are facing problems,” said a person in charge of theRathedaung military refugee camp.

Earlier on 19 October, ANP, whichis the largest political party of Rakhine State, donated 30 bags ofrice grain to the of Buthidaung township,who were facing difficulties due to the junta’sunwanted ban.