Over 1,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have returned to their homes in Paletwa Township, Chin State, are currently experiencing food difficulties as they have not received any assistance from organizations, including the Military Council, according to IDPs themselves.

An IDP villager from Seintsanwa village reported that they have run out of the food they brought and are concerned about the danger of landmines, which makes them feel uneasy about their ability to sustain their livelihood.

"Ever since we returned, we have also been facing livelihood difficulties. We are afraid of the danger of landmines in the forests, which are the main source of our livelihood. They have not been cleared of landmines yet, so we have no jobs. Therefore, we are going to report our difficulties with the clearing of landmines to the Township General Administrative Office," he said.

More than 1,000 refugees from Paletwa Township comprise around 300 households from 19 villages, including Lower Meelatwa Village, Baungwa, NgaWe, InnKhowa, Tamanthar, Sephalaung, Paletchaungwa, Lower Theamawa, and Seintsanwa.

An IDP villager from lower Meelatwa village said, "There is nothing to work on now. There is nothing else to do when it is not a time to farm. We are afraid to go up the mountain. We are afraid of landmines. Therefore, livelihoods are quite uncomfortable."

These IDPs had to return home in November 2022 and January this year, respectively, due to pressure from the Military Council to return home.

In Paletwa, officials of the Military Council said that the area is now stable, forced the IDPs to return to their homes, and provided 3 to 6 million kyat per household.

Paletwa Township currently houses around 5,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in various camps such as Baw Lone Kwin IDP camp, Withudhayone Monastery, Site Pyo Yay IDP camp, RC Church, and B.E.H.S (1) camp. These individuals are displaced due to the fear of accidents caused by landmines and remnants of military weapons near the community and in the forests.

In Rakhine state, IDPs from townships including Ponnagyun, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Minbya, and Ann have been forced to return to their homes since the end of February due to pressure from the Military Council.

They also said that after returning home, they are facing difficulties in living, not only because they are not able to build a house, but also because of food problems.

Despite a ceasefire between the Military Council and the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State and Paletwa Township of Chin State lasting over four months, and some IDPs have returned to their homes, but more than 60,000 IDPs remain displaced, as reported by the UN.