IDPs have expressed their concern that some shelters in IDP camps in Arakan State are in urgent need of repair as the dry season draws to a close.

Daw Kywat Nu May, an IDP from Hinkhaywa village in Myaebon Township said: “It is not adequate for IDPs in the rainy season. These houses were built two years ago. They need repairing. I would like to call on donors to extend a helping hand. “Children and the elderly may get ill in the rainy season due to the shortage of shelters.

U Kyaw Hla, in-charge of the IDP camp in the compound of Buddha Wiraya monastery in Sittwe said: “We have many difficulties. The main problem is we need the wards for the IDPs in the rainy season. The camp also faces the shortage of food and drinking water.”

U Than Cho, in-charge of the Paepadon IDP camp in Ann Township said: “The people living here may face difficulty during this rainy season if the camps cannot be repaired in time. More than 4,000 IDPs are taking shelter at this camp. As the camps are built mostly with bamboo and Nipa Palm, they need repairing every year before the rainy season. The camps are in urgent need of repairs. No reply has been received yet, although the situation in the IDP camp was discussed at the Arakan State Administration Council last week.”

Most of the IDPs are unable to return to their villages although there has been no fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Tatmadaw in Arakan State for the past six months.

According to the list compiled by the Rakhine Ethnics Congress (REC), more than 100,000 IDPs are still living in the IDP camps due to security and food problems. Some IDPs decide to risk going home without help from the local government.