IDPs are being coerced into returning to their former villages by the military, despite the risk of landmines, and the lack of preparations for proper food and shelter in their home villages. The Military Council failed to adequately prepare and implement rehabilitation plans for the repatriation of IDPs.
“ We have returned to our village, which had been abandoned for three or four years. Our houses are in a state of disrepair and most families cannot afford to renovate them. As a result, we are living in temporary tents within the compounds. We are encountering various challenges regarding basic necessities such as food and shelter”, a repatriated IDP said.
This forced repatriation by the Military Council authorities has used as a pretext that “peace and stability have been restored in Rakhine State.” and the military authorities are providing a small amount of financial aid to internally displaced people (IDPs)’
Some repatriated villagers told Narinjara, “ The Chief Minister had pledged to eliminate the landmines, yet the mine clearing operations have even started. They provided each household that was compelled to return home with 600,000 kyats and one month’s ration of rice, but in this age of soaring commodity prices, this sum is insufficient to reconstruct a house.
Even if we were to gather wood and bamboo from the woods, the threat of landmines is a constant concern. Presently, the repatriated individuals are in dire straits without food or housing..”
On March 3rd, the Military Council repatriated 532 individuals who were seeking refuge in the Yaehpyukan IDP camp located in Ponnagyun Township, without providing any preparation period. These displaced persons hailed from Thazi, Kyauk Seik, Painne Taw, Doe Tan, and Nhamada villages in Paletwa Township, Chin State.
In the current situation, the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance remnants in and around the farms and orchards of repatriates’ native communities is impeding their ability to resume their livelihoods, and proving to be a huge challenge for the villagers.
“ In our village, only a handful of people are engaged in farming, primarily relying on orchard cultivation for their livelihood. However, with the persistent presence of uncleared landmines, no one dares to venture back into the orchards to continue their work”, a repatriated IDP from Myebon Township said.
Individuals who were forced to return to their villages may confront the dire consequences of starvation, when the rice and financial aid supplied by the Military Council starts to be depleted.
On November 26th, an informal ceasefire agreement was abruptly reached between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Military Council. With the cessation of hostilities in Rakhine State, the Military Council initiated efforts to compel IDPs to return to their homes, coercing them to sign documents admitting that they were returning voluntarily.
Indeed, the Military Council has been severing the supply of food to the IDP camps since the resurgence of fighting in Rakhine in early 2022.
Consequently those displaced by the conflict have been compelled to forage for sustenance on their own.
Last month, the Chairman of the Rakhine State Stability, Peace, and Development Work Coordination Committee under the Military Council, Minister of Border Affairs Lieutenant General Tun Tun Naing, the Minister of Social Welfare and Resettlement Daw Thet Thet Khaing, and the Chief Minister of Rakhine State paid a visit to the IDP camps in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, and Minbya townships.
During the visit, they urged those displaced by the conflict to return to their homes before the onset of the rainy season. Following the officials’ visit, the Military Council began dismantling some IDP camps in Minbya, Myebon, and Ponnagyun townships and compelled those displaced by the conflict to return to their own villages.
