Malnourished Rohingya Children Suffer as Crisis Deepens in Maungdaw

By: Camp Correspondent

March 2025

The Rohingya community in Maungdaw Township, Arakan (Rakhine) State, is facing a worsening malnutrition crisis, with children under five suffering the most.

As families struggle to access food, the rate of acute malnutrition among young Rohingya has reached alarming levels, particularly in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and isolated villages.

Worsening Hunger and Malnutrition

A woman assisting IDPs in Maungdaw Township described the dire situation:

“As families face livelihood crises, children are no longer properly nourished. Their stomachs become distended, but they remain extremely thin.”

The combination of restricted humanitarian aid, skyrocketing food prices, and a lack of job opportunities has made it nearly impossible for Rohingya families to afford basic necessities. With limited access to rice, meat, or fish, malnutrition among Rohingya children has surged.

Health Experts Warn of a Growing Crisis

Children suffering from malnutrition face extreme health risks, as their bodies lack the nutrients needed for proper development. Medical experts warn that severe malnutrition leads to extreme weight loss, weakened immunity, and other serious complications.

Adding to this crisis, skin diseases have begun spreading rapidly among children in Maungdaw. A local resident described the worsening conditions:

“Skin diseases are currently widespread among children, with many suffering from severe itchiness. At the same time, malnutrition is making them even weaker, and parents feel powerless to help.”

Some adult IDPs in Maungdaw Town are also experiencing similar infections but are unable to afford medical treatment. A woman helping IDPs expressed concern over the rising cost of essential medicines:

“Here in Maungdaw, a blister pack of 10 to 12 paracetamol tablets now costs between 2,000 and 4,000 MMK. There is an urgent need for medicines and other aid for IDPs.”

Just months ago, the same medicine cost between 1,000 and 2,000 MMK, but the worsening humanitarian crisis has caused prices to double.

Pregnant Women and the Elderly Also at Risk

While children are the most visibly affected, pregnant women and elderly Rohingya are also suffering due to food shortages. In some cases, elderly IDPs have reportedly died from severe malnutrition, further highlighting the deadly consequences of the crisis.

According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, every child has the right to adequate nutrition, security, and a safe living environment. However, in conflict zones like Maungdaw, these fundamental rights continue to be denied to Rohingya children.

No Aid, No Hope?

The Arakan Army (AA) seized Maungdaw Township before taking control of Maungdaw Town, the administrative center, on December 8, 2024. While the AA has begun demining operations and resettling some IDPs, Rohingya communities are facing escalating economic hardships. The absence of assistance from international organizations and civil society groups has left many Rohingya families without hope.

With humanitarian aid restricted and essential supplies running out, malnutrition and disease are spreading rapidly. Unless urgent action is taken, the situation will deteriorate further, leaving countless Rohingya families in an even deeper humanitarian crisis.