The Military Council's obstruction of transportation routes in Rakhine State has led to a critical shortage of food in the predominantly Muslim-inhabited IDP camps, placing them on the brink of starvation say IDPs.
"We're in a tough dilemma right now. Prices for essential food items and commodities like rice have shot up, and we can't find or buy rice, oil, or salt. The lack of rice is causing a lot of hardships", observed one IDP(Internally Displaced Person) from Kyauktalone camp in Kyaukphyu Township.
A woman residing in Kyauktalone Muslim IDP camp told Narinjara that." Since November 13th, when conflicts resurfaced in Rakhine State, the Military Council has imposed blockades on both land routes and waterways, leading to soaring prices and widespread suffering.”
She added, "We don't get any help from WFP (World Food Programme). Our food is just broken rice, and we can't afford fish. We mostly eat radish, water spinach, and roselle, but we don't even have chili. It's hard to provide snacks for the kids in the morning. Plus my husband lost his job driving an auto rickshaw. The closed roads have left him jobless, and it's now a real struggle to afford even a single curry for our meals.``
Due to the blocked roads, IDPs at Kyauktalone IDP camp in Kyauk Phyu Township can't access the stipends from WFP, and are unable to work outside the camp, causing significant hardships.
At Ngetchaung IDP camp in Pauktaw Township, residents depended on Sittwe Township and Pauktaw Township for food. But due to the ongoing road closures, prices of available goods are surging, raising concerns about a potential food shortage in the camp next week, an IDP reported.
"Life is getting really hard for us. If we don't get food in a week, there could be widespread hunger. How can I help others when I have nothing? In our state, 80% can only afford one meal a day. We don't even have basic items like chili. With curry we only have water spinach, and only those who can afford it can buy it. We can't grow vegetables outside because we're not allowed to leave the camp. Due to the ongoing conflicts, camp leaders won't let us go outside”, he said.
Likewise, at the Sintetmaw IDP camp in Pauktaw Township, a woman conveyed that she and fellow IDPs are grappling with diverse hardships, including difficulties in sustaining their livelihoods and a scarcity of healthcare.
"We didn't get the WFP money last month, and not this month either. Rice prices are high, and we're going through tough times. Getting medical help is also hard”, she told Narinjara.
"As the ones in charge of cooking, running out of rice at home is always a concern. The prices of essential items are going up. If you get sick and don't have enough money, obtaining medicines or buying birth control pills becomes a significant problem. Pregnant women can't go to clinics anymore. In the past, those with money could go to clinics in Sittwe Township”, said a housewife from Thetkaepyin IDP Camp in Sittwe Township.
Because of the renewed conflict the Military Council has restricted both land routes and waterways, causing significant hardships for both the local population and the Muslim IDP camps.
