Social aid charity groups in Rakhine State are compelled to temporarily suspend operations, with a looming concern that these suspensions may become permanent due to acute fuel shortages, driven by the Military Council's blockade of transport routes in the region.
Those engaged in charitable work are unable to offer assistance in situations where transportation is needed citing the lack of fuel as a major handicap.
"It's extremely difficult to buy fuel at the moment. Without access to fuel, we're unable to carry on with our social aid charitable works, forcing us to temporarily suspend operations”, U Min The Wah, the chairperson of Sittwe-based Shwe Yaung Myittar (Golden Love) Foundation, said.
As the primary gas stations in Sittwe have exhausted their fuel supplies, some individuals are persevering with their charitable efforts by purchasing fuel from roadside vendors at elevated prices, he added.
U Aung Than Tun, the chairperson of the Karuna Hlaing (Sympathy Wave) Blood Donation Foundation in Mruak-U Township, disclosed that his organization is currently left with only one barrel of fuel, potentially leading to hardships for those in need of assistance in the foreseeable future.
"We can't import more fuel due to blocked routes. If we run out of the remaining stockpile, we'll have no choice but to halt operations, causing hardships for the public”, he told DMG.
The cessation of charity organizations assisting with daily and social needs raises concerns, as it is feared that there may also be a lack of emergency services, including ambulance support for transporting critical patients, especially if the intensity of the conflict escalates.
Despite the Military Council currently closing routes all around Rakhine State, ambulances are allowed to travel with exceptions after thorough inspections. Nevertheless, ambulances are also unable to operate due to shortages of fuel, an aid worker based in Gwa Township stated.
"In our township, we have a limited amount of fuel. Vehicles at gas stations wait in long queues and are restricted to purchasing a limited amount of fuel. As a result, our social aid services can no longer operate on a large scale as we did before”, he said.
Since the resurgence of fighting between the Military Council and the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State on November 13th, the coup Regime has closed roads and waterways in the region. As a result, many townships in Rakhine are experiencing significant shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, according to locals.
