by Hafizur Rahman
Maungdaw, November 12, 2025 —
Residents of Maungdaw town in northern Rakhine State say they are facing serious health problems due to polluted water flowing through the town’s public supply system. Since the rainy season, the water has become increasingly dirty and unsafe, leading to widespread illness among local families.
Community members report growing cases of diarrhea, stomach pain, skin infections, and other waterborne diseases. “The water that comes to our homes is not clean. Sometimes it smells very bad, and we can see dirt in it. We have no choice but to use it,” said Mohammed Karim, a resident of Maungdaw.
Health workers in the area confirm that many patients are suffering from diarrhea and liver-related illnesses caused by contaminated water. “Because we have no clean water, my children often get sick with stomach problems. We can’t even boil enough water for daily use,” said Halima Begum, a mother of three living in eastern Maungdaw.
According to residents, the town’s water supply comes mainly from Maungdaw Lake, which they say is neither properly filtered nor treated. Most households lack clean storage tanks or purification systems. “We pay money for the water every month, but no one is fixing the problem. We just want clean water for our families,” said Abdullah, another resident.
Public health officials and aid workers warn that continued use of contaminated water could worsen the spread of disease, particularly among children and elderly people. Residents are urging local authorities to repair the water system immediately and ensure that all households receive clean and safe water for drinking and daily use.
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