Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are struggling to survive as the number of donors has dwindled, volunteers helping them in Paletwa Township have told Khonumthung News.
According to a man in Sami, there is only one donor left to care for the nearly 10,000 people who have fled the fighting across southern Chin State.
“Many organisations used to come to provide food rations to the IDPs, but now it is only the World Food Programme (WFP)…in both Sami and Paletwa towns every month.”
The volunteer said they give rice, peas, cooking oil and salt, and nutritional powder for the children and pregnant women, but until recently nothing could be sent after the regime blocked the waterways for several months. There are about 2,000 people in need in Sami.
Intermittent clashes between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military in Paletwa Township from the end of 2020 until November has affected many civilians who have sought refuge in Sami and Paletwa towns.
Another volunteer from Paletwa town, where there are 6,000 IDPs, said they did not receive food in December.
“They couldn’t send food rations because of security concerns. Recently, AA has agreed to a ceasefire agreement with the Burma Army and we hope the food will arrive soon.”
The Paletwa IDPs are staying in five camps in the town: the Vithudahyon Buddhist Monastery, the Roman Catholic Church, the football field, High School No 1 and the Ministry of Agriculture compound, while some are staying with their relatives.