Even though the World Food Program (WFP) and government have been providing rice to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Paletwa Township, the supplies have now run out, locals say.
A man helping the IDPs said that on October 14, the government provided 10 days’ worth of rice rations, and on October 19, the WFP provided four days of rations. The rice from both donations lasted until October 28.
“Now they have run out of rice,” the man told Khonumthung News.
He added that the WFP had also provided the IDPs with 30,000 kyats (US$23), but that rice was priced out of affordability in Paletwa at 75,000 kyats ($58) per bag.
“I have heard that the government is preparing to send rice in five vehicles, but I don’t have any further information,” Aung Ma Phyu, who is working with the Paletwa Chin Women’s Organization, told Khonumthung News.
In addition to food insecurity, she said that the IDPs are having problems with their shelters.
“Their bamboo huts are so small. If a family has many members, it is so difficult to live in these huts. The roof is covered with a waterproof canvas. They will have problems soon,” Aung Ma Phyu said.
Khonumthung News reported this week that more than half of IDPs’ shelters in the nearby town of Sami had collapsed due to a termite infestation.
Clashes between the Burma Army and the Arakan Army in southern Chin State have led to roadblocks enforced by the military in Paletwa Township and in Rakhine State. The blockages have led to food shortages.
There are currently a total of 4,891 IDPs from 1,072 families in Paletwa town’s IDP camps.