Narinjara News, June 20, 2025

Arakanese social organizations abroad are stepping up to aid the tens of thousands of Rakhine/Arakanese internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Rakhine State, Myanmar, who are grappling with severe hardships due to a lack of international assistance.

Currently, there are at least 500,000 people displaced by conflict in Rakhine State, many of whom are facing food insecurity, inadequate drinking water, poor housing, a shortage of medicine, and insufficient healthcare.

In an effort to alleviate these challenges, Rakhine migrants working outside the region are donating a portion of their meager salaries to Rakhine associations abroad, which in turn provide support to IDPs.

On June 8, Rakhine people in China collectively donated over 50 million kyats to support displaced individuals in Kyaukphyu by purchasing essential mosquito nets to protect against malaria and dengue fever. 

“Rakhine people in China collectively donated 50,590,000 kyats to buy mosquito nets for the displaced people in Kyaukphyu during the rainy season. With this funding, we were able to distribute at least 2,500 mosquito nets to the displaced people," stated Ko Aung Aung, head of the Kyaukphyu Township Disaster Relief Emergency Committee.

Similarly, U Wai Hin Aung, who is involved in Rakhine charity work, announced on his social media that he had donated 87.5 million kyats to a camp in Ponnagyun Township, benefitting 175 households at a rate of 50,000 kyats per household. The donation was largely funded by the Rakhine Flower Charity Association in Malaysia, contributing 80 million kyats.

On June 16, a total of 7.1 million kyats was donated to 141 families displaced by conflict in Sittwe Township, facilitated by U Wai Hin Aung through contributions from individuals both at home and abroad. 

On June 2, 15.1 million kyats was allocated to families in Kyauktaw Township, with each family receiving 50,000 kyats. This assistance included 9 million kyats from the Rakhine Youth Solidarity Association based in Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore, and 41 million kyats from the Rakhine Social Assistance Association of Indiana (USA), according to U Wai Hin Aung.

Further support continued on June 5, with 13.2 million kyats donated to 264 families residing in an IDP camp in Ponnagyun Township, and on June 4, 127.5 million kyats was distributed to 255 families in the same township, as well as some elderly residents.

On June 1, 346 families in Kyauktaw Township received 19 million kyats, with each family receiving 50,000 kyats, including 28 million kyats contributed by the Rakhine Youth Solidarity Association.

Despite claims by various countries and international organizations, including the UN, of combatting discrimination based on race, religion, gender, and skin color, Rakhine social activists argue that humanitarian assistance for the region's people remains severely lacking from both domestic and international organizations.