KyaingHein Lin, Narinjara News, 26 October 2024

NumerousMuslim internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Arakan State are facing severehardships after going without food aid from the World Food Program (WFP) foreight months.

Inthe past, the WFP offered monthly support to Muslim IDPs in Arakan State,including cash, rice, and other key food items.

However,IDPs say they haven't received any help since March, as the military junta hasstopped aid from international groups, citing increased fighting in the area.

Arepresentative from the Nget Chaung IDP camp in Pauktaw Township described thecritical situation, saying, "We haven't had food for a long time. Peoplein our camp are hungry, and their health is getting worse due to poornutrition."

TheNget Chaung IDP camp houses about 30,000 displaced Muslims.

At thesame time, a resident from the Ah Nauk Ye IDP camp in Pauktaw Township saidthey're now eating broken rice because they no longer get food aid.

"Thosewith money are a bit better off, but the poor are really struggling. They haveto cook broken rice just to eat something," he explained.

TheAh Nauk Ye IDP camp is home to 5,798 displaced Muslims, making up 1,197households.

InArakan State, hundreds of thousands of Muslim IDPs live across Myebon,Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Pauktaw townships.

 Thesepeople have been living in IDP camps since the conflict began in 2012.

Atfirst, several international groups, including the WFP, provided food and money.

Butnow, Muslim IDPs are getting no help, causing some to die from malnutrition dueto lack of jobs and high prices in the area.

Sadly, onSeptember 22 and 23, 60-year-old Daw Soe Yonisa and 55-year-old Daw Da Hai Mafrom the Taung Paw IDP camp in Myebon Town died one after another due to foodshortages and livelihood problems, according to camp residents.

TheTaung Paw IDP camp houses 3,067 displaced Muslims, making up 642 households.

NarinjaraNews tried to contact the WFP by email about the lack of food aid but got noanswer.

Healthcarehas also gotten worse for Muslim IDPs, who used to get medical care fromMédecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Without such groups, the IDPs are now facingbig problems in the health sector.

InPauktaw Township's Ah Nauk Ye, Kyein Ni Pyin, and Nget Chaung IDP camps, atleast 10 people, including children, have died from diarrhea since August,according to camp officials.

AKyein Ni Pyin IDP camp official said, "MSF used to provide medical care,but now we don't have such organizations. We only have quack doctors here.Those with money are fine, but it's very hard for those without."

LocalMuslims blame the diarrhea outbreak on dirty drinking water.

Over7,000 displaced Muslims live in the Kyein Ni Pyin IDP camp.

Withno food aid available, Muslim IDPs in Arakan State must make a living byworking as manual laborers at jetties and markets in nearby towns and villages,selling fish they catch, and doing various odd jobs, say the camp residents.