Strong winds further damage shelters at some IDP camps in Arakan State

The strong winds hit Arakan State from 31 July to 2 August and further damaged the shelters at some IDP camps which were repaired after the cyclone Mocha on 14 May.

The shelters covered with tarpaulins are swept away by strong winds. We have no money to repair them,” an IDP said.

The IDPs said they could not afford to repair their homes damaged by Cyclone Mocha. They had to build them temporarily with tarpaulins.

An in-charge of Tayzaryarma IDP camp in Rathedaung Township said: “Some shelters were destroyed by strong winds. One shelter was totally destroyed. The strong winds blew the roofs of the remaining wards off. Currently, we are repairing the damaged roofs, using tarpaulins.”

The IDPs and those in charge of the camp said that in addition to strong winds, IDPs are also facing floods due to heavy rains.

The IDP from Kawiradana IDP camp said: “Due to heavy rains and high tide, the water level is rising. Water level reaches my thigh. I can’t go anywhere.”

U Shwe Phaw Sein, Director of the Rakhine Nationalities Support Committee, said that they would like relevant officials to provide support for the main needs of IDPs during the current rainy season.

“If we get a tarpaulin, we need bamboo, timber. Tarpaulin was torn by strong winds. The IDPs are expecting which organizations will help them. Relevant CSOs or relevant authorities should do what is necessary to help and where the necessary supplies are needed,” he said.

The World Food Program (WFP) is mainly supporting the displaced people in Arakan State who have not been able to return to their homes.

The displaced people said they are facing livelihood difficulty as it has been two months since the IDPs have not received aid from the WPF.

Some IDP camps in Rathedaung, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun and MraukU Townships, which were damaged by the Cyclone Mocha, have not been repaired for almost 3 months, those in charge of the camps said.

According to the records of those helping the IDPs, there are still more than 60,000 people who have not returned to their homes due to the fighting between the military council and the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State.