KALAY-Relief And Rehabilitation Committee for Chin IDPs(RRCCI) announced that the civilians and internally displaced persons in Paletwa Township, Chin state already faced food shortage.

Due to ongoing fighting occurring in Paletwa Township, Chin State, 1,132 households comprising 5,090 family members are now abandoning their homes.

Although Matupi Township in Chin State provided rice and other ratios to 2,961 IDPs living in Semi Township in timely, Paletwa Township and its neighbouring areas, nearly 40-mile distance far from Semi Township, are still lacking food. 

A Total of 3,830 rice bags and other food supplies being provided by the Chin State Government Committee and WFP had arrived in Paletwa Township.

“The rice bags arrived in Paletwa Township. However, the entrance and exit are still closed. There are over 7,000 locals living in the shutdown area. Moreover, there are over 5,000 IDPs in the downtown. Over 20,000 peoples including IDPs from 15 villages already face food shortage. Even locals in the downtown of Paletwa Township suffered food shortage. There have been two-week rations. If the authorities will open the roads in Semi and Paletwa Townships, we can bring the rice bags from Semi Township to Paletwa. In Semi Township, there are about 5,000 rice bags being provided by the Chin State Government and NGOs. I think the Chin State Government Committee is now striving to send the food supply to Paletwa Township. We heard that fighting recently occurred between Semi and Paletwa Townships,” said Spokesperson Saya Mya from RRCCI.

The RRCCI together with the wellwishers and Chin State Government is now providing food supply not only to IDPs in Paletwa Township but also Chin IDPs sheltering in Rakhine State.

There are nearly 100,000 locals in Paletwa Township, Chin State. However, over 60,000 people are now living in conflict areas and more than 20,000 people are in need of food supply, according to RRCCI.