Thousands of civilians fleeing fighting between the Burma Army and Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State sought refuge in the town of Ann, which is already crowded with villagers forced from their homes during previous clashes in Ann Township.
Salai Tun Hla Kyaw, who’s the chair of Chin University Students in Rakhine State, told Khonumthung News since June 28 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have started arriving in the town of Ann from Derlet village-tract. They’re being driven out by “regional instability,” he says, and “struggling to get food rations.”
More than 2,000 came to Ann, half of them staying with relatives. Because there is no space left in the town’s two IDP camps, new arrivals are being housed in a sports stadium.
Salai Tun Hla Kyaw says there are 120 shelters, but these are already occupied. There are 80 more shelters being built, but it won’t be enough for all the IDPs. “For an emergency, I think we need at least 100 shelters”, he says, outlining the difficulties of building these shelters during the rainy season. “Internally displaced persons are currently staying at an indoor sports stadium. They live in a small space, which is a real challenge for women.”
According to civil society organizations, there are about 5,500 IDPs in the town of Ann. There are 1,500 staying in the two camps in the town, and 4,000 are staying with their relatives.