Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Buthidaung Township, Rakhine State, are urgently requesting assistance to repair the damaged dormitories in their camps before the onset of the rainy season.

U Mandala, the deputy in charge of the Yan Aung Myay IDP camp in Ward No. 5 of Buthidaung Township, has informed Narinjara that some residents are taking it upon themselves to repair the run-down dormitories to improve their living conditions. However, during the rainy season, they require assistance to construct more durable structures that can withstand strong winds and heavy rainfall.

"We're using tarpaulins to repair the roofs, but we're facing issues with the supply of wood and bamboo. Our aim is to make the living conditions as comfortable as possible during the rainy season, although it's unlikely to be completely comfortable if there are strong winds and heavy rainfall. It has been a long time since we don't received the subsidy. Additionally, the house poles are decaying and we're currently supporting them with pillars," he said.

Apart from the Yan Aung Myay IDP camp located in Buthidaung, there are several other IDP camps in the area, including the Mya Taung camp in Ward No. 7, the Lan Ma camp in Ward No. 2, the Gan Dar Yi camp in Ward No. 1, and the Done Thain IDP camp situated in the Done Thain village of Buthidaung township.

U Mg Wan, a resident of Yan Aung Myay IDP camp who hails from Nwar Yon Taung village, has stated that for nearly a year, no organization has provided any subsidies to the IDP camps. As a result, residents are struggling to find enough food and to maintain adequate living conditions, particularly during the rainy season.

"We haven't received any subsidies for almost a year now, and we had to sell whatever belongings we had. There is nothing left to sell, and we're unable to purchase thatch for the upcoming rainy season. We have to make do with makeshift arrangements for our living conditions," he said.

The Yan Aung Myay IDP camp was established in March 2019 and is currently home to 153 families and 503 individuals from six villages, including San Goe Taung, Nwar Yon Taung, Shit Shar Taung, U Yin Thar, Thayet Pyin, and Sa Par Htar in Buthidaung township.

According to the camp manager Ko Kyaw Win, at the Lan Ma IDP camp in Ward No. 2 of Buthidaung Township, earlier this year, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) distributed 12 logs per household. However, the residents still require additional materials, such as thatch and bamboo, to construct and repair their homes.

"We have received logs for this year, but we are still in need of bamboo and thatch. Since most of the houses are damaged in one way or another, people are building temporary shelters that require annual repairs. With the rainy season fast approaching, only those who can afford repairs will be able to make their homes habitable. Those who cannot afford repairs will face significant challenges," he said.

The IDP camp was established on September 4, 2019.

Camp manager Ko Kyaw Win reported to Narinjara that Lan Ma IDP camp is currently providing shelter to 214 households from 18 villages and 2 wards, with a total population of 1034 people. These households are from Thayet Pyin, U Yin Thar, Shit Shar Taung, San Goe Taung, Nwar Yon Taung, Kyar Nyo Pyin, Koon Taung, Sa Par Htar, Thaing Ta Poke, Thapyay Seik, Si Taung, Kun Taing, Tha Peik Taung, Myoma Chaung, Ohn Chaung in Buthidaung Township, Kyauk Tan, Yay Kyaung in Rathedaung Township, Kyat Zay Ward in Mrauk U Township, Naung Min Ward, and Pyi Taw Tar Ward in Kyauktaw Township.

Daw Ma Han Thein, who came from Nwar Yon Taung village, told Narinjara that the IDPs in Buthidaung township have very limited job opportunities outside the camps, and as a result, they are also struggling with food shortages in Yan Aung Myay IDP camp.

"We sometimes do masonry work if there is an opportunity. We also try to fish for food. But still, some of us are starving. When we go back to our villages, we can't find our houses. They have become overgrown with bushes. Some of the elderly people are so sad that they pass away. Some of the shelters in the camp are already damaged, and some have been fixed. But there are still some that haven't been fixed yet. With the rainy season coming, even if we can't fully repair them, we have to at least patch them up," she said.

On November 26, 2022, following an informal ceasefire between the military council troops and the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine, IDPs in Buthidaung Township have been struggling without support.