The number of internally displaced people (IDPs) collecting cash donations from well-wishers is reportedly on the rise in Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township as they are not receiving relief supplies due to lack of donors.

IDPs face livelihood hardships due to skyrocketing commodity prices and some IDPs earn a living as odd-job workers and collect cash donations from well-wishers in rural villages.

“We are struggling to make ends meet. We haven’t received relief supplies even once in three months. Some IDPs earn a living by collecting cash donations from others due to livelihood difficulties,” said an IDP woman in Rathedaung Township.

Rathedaung Township hosts more than 50,000 IDPs, and among them are those displaced by fighting in Maungdaw, Ponnagyun and Sittwe townships.

IDPs face more difficulties due to travel barriers and mobile phone and internet blackouts, as they do not receive assistance from social welfare organisations.

The IDPs have not received aid for more than five months, and they say they may soon face a shortage of rice and famine.

“IDPs in some villages received a small amount of rice in the past, but they didn’t get other relief supplies. Soaring commodity prices make it harder for IDPs,” said an IDP man.

As most of the IDPs have been forced to leave their homes, the need for warm clothes and blankets to get through the winter is high.

The Arakkha Army (AA) seized control of Rathedaung and Ponnagyun in March and May respectively, but the ethnic armed group has banned locals from entering the two towns due to the threat of regime’s airstrikes, landmines and unexploded ordnance.