WFP reviews IDP population in central Rakhine State

Narinjara News, February 23, 2022

Country Director and Representative of the World Food Programme (WFP) Myanmar, Mr. Stephen Anderson confirmed to Narinjara News that WFP a current review of IDP numbers in central Rakhine State.

“We the World Food Programme (WFP), are currently verifying the IDP population list living in some IDP camps in Mrauk U Township, central Rakhine State. This is the first time we have provided food to those IDP camps. We are reviewing the population list to know the number of IDPs living in the IDP camps and their needs. That way, we can provide the necessary assistance effectively,” he said.

The WFP responded in this way after the Narinjara news agency reported on February 17 that “WFP is not providing support to those who go to school and work outside the

camp and are having a hard time”.

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“In an ever-changing situation involving thousands of people, re-examining how many IDPs there are, it is often the case that some people are inadvertently left out in the initial stages of such a list. For example, if some of the camp residents were going to the market or going to the clinic at the time of the survey, they may have been left out. We are doing our best to get an accurate list of people who are homeless and unable to return to their homes and are eligible for WFP assistance, and to keep the list accurate at all times. I would also like to thank the IDPs, the community and other relevant officials for their cooperation throughout the IDP population list review process,” Mr. Stephen Anderson, Representative of the World Food Programme (WFP)

Myanmar said.

Narinjara news agency had reported that, “The World Food Programme (WFP) did not give aid to IDPs who were going to school and working outside the camp, so the IDPs were having a hard time. The Oo Gaung IDP camp in Mrauk U town was given aid by the World Food Programme (WFP) on February 14, but the people who were working outside the camp and students who were going to school outside the camp, were not included and did not receive any financial support. This has caused them many problems.”

A Rakhine social activist said “ The list of IDPs has been reviewed by the WFP, so that only those who actually live in the camp should be registered. Now it is necessary to provide a new list of IDPs who have actually left their homes and are in difficulty. But those who have returned to their homes should be excluded from the list of the camps, otherwise the international assistance for IDPs who are actually living in the camps will be affected.”

WFP officials said that if IDPs living in IDP camps, their individuals or family members  want to criticize and suggest to WFP, they can directly talk to WFP staff or contact the helpline numbers 09 408 811 055, 09 408 811 066 and 09 264 819 092.

Photo by The Embassy of Japan in Myanmar