Displaced people (IDPs) who have fled intense fighting in Arakan (Rakhine) State’s Maungdaw Town and who are currently sheltering in Muangdaw Township villages urgently need food and healthcare assistance.

The IDPs are sheltering as families and small groups in villages around Maungdaw Town. The Arakan Army (AA) is offering limited healthcare and assistance to some of the IDPs, but it is insufficient and the majority of the IDPs are having to sort out their own food and shelter.

An IDP who fled Maungdaw Town said: “It's been over four months since we fled. We haven't received any help or support from any organisations since then. For those who have relatives abroad, we ask them to help us meet our basic needs for food and clothing. Those without any relatives are really struggling and facing extreme hardship.”

Some of the IDPs are having to drink contaminated water, which is leading to cases of diarrhea and skin disease. Other IDPs said they are struggling with healthcare, due to a lack medicine and inadequate medical services.

The aforementioned IDP said: “Due to the contaminated water, there are cases of diarrhea and skin diseases. There is also a shortage of medicine. No organisation is providing any healthcare.”

The IDPs are hoping that international organisations, civil society groups, and aid workers will provide them with assistance.

An aid worker said: “We are requesting food assistance from our friends in foreign countries. However, it's difficult to manage the needs of so many IDPs. And we don't know how long the fighting will last.”

IDPs are worried that if food aid does not reach them soon their situation will get far worse.

Currently the AA is fighting an offensive against junta troops to take Maungdaw Town. The fighting has already displaced hundreds of thousands of people from the town.

In the 10 months since fighting between the AA and junta resumed in Arakan State, on 13 November 2023, more than 600,000 people have been displaced in the state.