AB News – March 31, 2024
The war refugees in Butheedaung and Maungdaw region in northern Rakhine who had to flee from their villages due to the fresh round of fighting are in urgent need of food aid.
They fled their homes to escape violence and persecution by the military council. However, they are now struggling to obtain basic food supplies.
U Oo Hla fled his village, Aung Thu Kha, due to heavy artillery shelling by Border Guard Station No. 6 in Indin Village, Maungdaw. He left with only one piece of clothing and now urgently needs food.
“I fled my village after it was bombarded by artillery shells from Indin Camp, causing a devastating fire that destroyed everything in my home. I escaped with only the clothes on my back, leaving me jobless and in desperate need of food,” he shared.
“On November 16, soldiers from Indin Camp stormed Aung Thu Kha Village, forcibly displacing villagers suspected of affiliation with the AA, and ruthlessly demolishing homes with heavy weaponry. Fleeing for their lives, the villagers sought refuge in safer areas,” according to reports.
“In a tragic incident on the evening of January 25, Infantry Battalion 551, stationed near Sai Din Bridge in Maungdaw, launched a devastating artillery attack on Phon Nyo Leik, a Muslim village, resulting in the loss of seven lives and leaving 20 others injured.”
According to U Tiya who spoke to AB News, approximately 2,840 Muslims from the village were forced to flee to nearby villages due to the fear of artillery shelling by the military. As they had to leave their belongings behind, they are now in need of humanitarian aid from CSOs/NGOs. “More than 2,840 people had fled and all their belongings had been left at home. They didn’t bring the medicine either. So, we want CSOs/ NGOs that can help to provide aid.
Due to the ongoing war, people are struggling to find basic necessities, including medicine, as transportation links have been cut off by the military.
The military has been carrying out daily bombardments on numerous villages and towns in Rakhine using a variety of aircraft, including attack helicopters such as Mi-35 and Mi-16, as well as Y-12 transportation planes and fighter jets.
“We won’t be able to survive without help,” said a refugee from Min Hla Kaing Village in Butheedaung, as most of them are daily wage earners.
“I earn my livelihood by cutting and selling bamboo. However, I am constantly worried about the danger of landmines while going to the mountains for work. Despite this, I have to do odd jobs to support my children and provide them with food and medical supplies. If we don’t receive any help, it will become increasingly difficult for us to survive in the long run,” he expressed with concern.
It has been reported that international organizations such as WFP, ICRC, UNICEF, and UNDP closed their offices in Maungdaw due to military tensions and fled the area.
According to a reliable source, there are around 40,000 refugees in the Butheedaung and Maungdaw region.
According to the refugees, they are unable to return home as intense fighting continues between the military and the Arakan Army.
Due to the recurrence of fighting in Rakhine, over 300,000 individuals from nine captured towns by the AA (Arakan Army) and Sittwe are unable to return home. The military is continuously bombarding the areas with airstrikes and artillery shelling, making it unsafe for people to return.
For more information, you can check out the below link.
Website- https://arakanbaynews.com/
Facebook Page in English- https://www.facebook.com/abnenglishedition/