Chin villagers displaced by clashes between Arakan Army (AA) and Burma Army in Ann Township, Rakhine State, are facing severe food shortages after few donors have provided aid in recent months.
Salai Zaw Min Tun, from Chin Humanitarian Assistance Team – Rakhine State, told Khonumthung News that many internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the town of Ann are “struggling” after not receiving support for over two months. After the election, only the seniors and infants in the camps got help from Chin civil society organizations (CSOs), he said.
The government provided 150 million kyats ($114K) for IDP relief in Ann Township, but most people haven’t received any support since August.
Salai Zaw Min Tun explained that the Rakhine State Minister of Social, Relief and Resettlement gave each family a bag of rice in July. But in August only a third of a bag was given. And from September to October most got nothing.
“The problem is not all the IDPs are receiving aid” and when they get something from the World Food Programme and Chin CSOs it’s rice and nothing else, he said. The cold season is approaching and IDPs need warm clothing and blankets. And they’re also short on pots for cooking and plates to eat on.
Relief groups estimate there are about 4,300 IDPs from more than 40 villages in the township. Only 600 are staying in the two camps in the town of Ann.