Narinjara News, June 21, 2025

Ann Township in Rakhine State, currently under the control of the Arakan Army (AA), is experiencing a surge in dengue and malaria cases this rainy season.

A local woman reported that the increased mosquito population during this year's rainy season has led to a heightened risk of diseases throughout the township. 

“It’s the same in every village. This year, there are significantly more mosquitoes. We don’t feel safe in our own homes; we often have to seek shelter in others' houses, forcing our entire family to huddle under a single blanket. We suffer from mosquito bites and colds. Medicines are also scarce, and we can’t purchase them whenever we need,” she stated.

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and local residents are contending with a lack of adequate shelter. A man from Ann Chaung revealed that residents are facing shortages of blankets and mosquito nets while also dealing with flooding caused by heavy rains.

“It’s raining heavily. While the water levels are as expected, worsening conditions could lead to flooding in our homes. The Ann Chaung and Dalet Chaung creeks are overflowing. It’s both wet and hot. Medicine, as well as food for survival, is increasingly difficult to obtain,” he explained.

Many villages, including Bok Chaung, Ko Kan Tan, Nyaung Chaung, Gae Laung, Kam Maw, Ku Toe Seik, Wet Mee To, and Tack Maw, are reliant on Ann Chaung for resources during June's heavy rains. Similarly, communities in Darlet Chaung, Sin U Taik, Kazukaing, Kyauk Sin, Aok Ywa Haun, Ahtet Ywa Haun, Nat Maw, and Mya Thein Tan are also grappling with dengue and malaria as well as severe shortages of medicines and food due to flooding.

The AA health department has been attempting to provide medical assistance to accessible villages, but efforts are inadequate. 

An AA official in Ann Township explained, “Our medical staff is working tirelessly to treat villagers despite the lack of medicines. We are doing our best with whatever supplies we can secure, focusing on preventing fatalities. However, the military council has prohibited the transportation of medicines from mainland Burma to Rakhine State, exacerbating the shortage.”

Dengue fever and malaria are both transmitted via mosquito bites. Since hostilities resumed in Rakhine State on November 13, 2023, the military council has closed all trade routes to the region and banned the importation of medical supplies. This has led to a serious lack of medicines, injections, and antibiotics across Rakhine State, including Ann Township.

While the exact number of dengue cases in Rakhine remains unknown, AA data indicates that there were over 400 malaria cases reported in the first four months of this year. 

The AA took control of Ann Township, home to the Western Command, on December 20, 2024. However, many residents have been unable to return to their homes due to the dangers posed by landmines and other remnants of conflict.