The humanitarian crisis in Arakan State has reached a critical point as tens of thousands of Rohingya internally displaced persons (IDPs) face severe food shortages and the threat of starvation. The escalating conflict between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) has displaced over 40,000 people in Pauktaw Township alone, leaving them stranded and cut off from essential resources.
The ongoing fighting has led to road and waterway blockades imposed by the Myanmar military, effectively isolating the IDPs from the rest of the state. These blockades have prevented humanitarian organizations from delivering much-needed food, medical supplies, and clean water to the affected areas.
One of the hardest-hit areas is Pauktaw Township, where the IDPs have been relying on aid from international organizations such as Solidarités International and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). However, due to the instability and blockades, these organizations have been forced to halt their operations, leaving the IDPs without access to clean drinking water and medical care. The situation is particularly dire during the summer months when water sources become contaminated and undrinkable.
“Habi,” a Rohingya IDP from the Ah Nauk Ywe camp, described the dire conditions: “We have run out of rice, cooking oil, salt, and pepper long ago. We’ve been suffering from hunger for over nine months, and now we’re at the brink of starvation.” According to reports, Save the Children, responsible for distributing World Food Programme (WFP) supplies, had to cut off aid due to the movement restrictions. This has led to widespread hunger, with tragic consequences, including the deaths of 20 people from starvation and 25 children under two years old from a cholera outbreak in March 2024.
The situation has worsened since the Myanmar Heart Development Organization (MHDO) took over the responsibility for food distribution in January 2024. According to local sources, MHDO has prioritized aid to Rakhine communities, leaving the Rohingya IDPs without food assistance for months. The Rakhine people have reportedly received monthly aid, while the Rohingya continue to suffer.
As tensions rise, the Rohingya IDPs are facing increasing hostility from some Rakhine locals, who have begun to threaten them with the prospect of further violence if the AA gains control of the region. Fearing for their lives, many Rohingya families have started to sell whatever they have left, preparing to flee the region by boat, despite the risks involved.
The international community has been called upon to intervene urgently to provide relief to the Rohingya IDPs and prevent further loss of life. The current humanitarian response has been inadequate, and without immediate action, the situation is likely to deteriorate further.
For now, the Rohingya IDPs remain trapped in a desperate situation, with little hope of relief on the horizon. As the conflict in Arakan State continues to escalate, the fate of these vulnerable communities hangs in the balance.
