UN, INGOs prepare to leave Rakhine region amid escalating conflicts

The United Nations (UN) and other international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) are preparing to leave the  Rakhine region due to the escalating conflicts, said a credible source.

The undisclosed source from an INGO informed that the UN and INGOs, which are involved in humanitarian aid and relief programs, have been thinking to escape the Rakhine violence soon.

"UNOCHA is taking the lead and making arrangements for their departure. They are coordinating the exit of other INGOs, including WFP/UNHCR. Plans are also in place to withdraw from Buthidaung and Maungdaw localities,” added the source.

The INGOs based in Buthidaung and Maungdaw are planning to move to Sittwe first and then they will depart for their destinations.

The escalation of conflicts in Rakhine State began on 13 November 2023 and it has made 300,000 residents of Ramree, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Pauktaw, Minbya, Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships homeless, said a social relief worker.

The  worker based in Ramree expressed serious concern over thewithdrawal of the UN and INGOs  from the Rakhine region, especially at a time when there is an urgent need for humanitarian assistance and relief efforts for the victims of  conflicts and the displaced population.

“The departure of  WFP and UNHCR, which provide crucial support, will make the lives of Rakhine IDPs miserable. We urge them not to leave at this critical time. Presently, the war-affected people of Myanmar, including those in Rakhine, are facing dire circumstances with no access to food or drinking water. Our efforts remain insufficient to address the massive challenges," he added.

A woman from Thet Kae Pyin Muslim IDP camp in Sittwe admitted that they can understand the concern of the organisations with the volatile situation in the region.

“However, for us the ground reality is that we cannot work and arrange foods for our families.
Even today we are surviving with the limited supply of  food items provided by those organisations,” she explained

Narinjara News is reaching out to UNOCHA to verify the information regarding the departure of INGOs including the UN from Rakhine State and will update accordingly after their responses.