Due to increased levels of fighting in Arakan (Rakhine) State children are missing out on crucial vaccinations causing their parents and guardians to worry about the spread of preventable diseases.
A mother of two from Kyauktaw Township said she was deeply concerned and worried that her younger child’s health could be at risk because he had not received his required vaccinations.
The mother said to DMG: “When my eldest son was young, nurses would come to our village and administer all the necessary vaccinations. He received the proper vaccines for polio and measles at the appropriate ages. But, my younger son hasn’t had the chance to receive any vaccines, so I’m really worried about his health.”
Children aged 2 months to 10 years need to receive vaccinations at appropriate intervals to protect against 12 diseases, including severe tuberculosis, hepatitis, polio, diarrhea, and measles.
Children aged from 2 months to 10 years old need to receive vaccinations at appropriate intervals to protect against 12 diseases, including severe tuberculosis, hepatitis, polio, diarrhea, and measles.
Since fighting resumed in Arakan State in November 2023, junta troops have imposed strict blockades on all land routes and waterways. This has severely restricted the distribution of essential goods, including medicines, in Arakan State. As a result there are severe shortages of medicines in Arakan State and children are missing out on vital vaccinations.
Previously the government and international organisations provided vaccinations for free, but because of the fighting in Arakan Sate they are no longer doing so.
Currently, cases of diarrhea, malaria, and flu are increasing amongst displaced (IDP) children in Arakan State.
A displaced woman sheltering in Mrauk-U Township said: “Right now, during the rainy season when seasonal diseases are more common, children are not receiving their vaccinations. As a result, we’re seeing a significant increase in illnesses such as influenza and malaria. The number of children with diarrhea is also much higher compared to last year.”
In Arakan State IDP camps, shortages of medicines and healthcare support have worsened, causing parents to worry about their children’s health.
“When vaccines are unavailable, there is concern that diseases like Japanese encephalitis, measles, and influenza could become more widespread. This rainy season has already seen a significant increase in Japanese encephalitis and dengue fever cases. In the camps where war-displaced people are taking shelter, cases of diarrhea have risen due to unclean water. Additionally, the spread of certain diseases among children is higher because they are not being vaccinated”, said a healthcare worker from Mrauk-U Township.
Given the rise in various complex and uncommon diseases, there have been growing calls for the Arakan Army (AA) to prioritise implementing an effective vaccination programme for children.
According to a 1 July 2024 statement by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the number of IDPs surged to over 500,000 from November 2023 to the end of June 2024 and the need for humanitarian assistance reached a critical level.
