As the rainy season approaches, IDP camps in Rakhine State may face food shortages and difficulty in staying in charge of IDP camps.

Lack of donations, less provisions donated by the government and people living in IDPs are unable to work are the main reasons of food shortages.

“There are about 1300 people in Zedi Pyin IDP camp in Ponna Kyun Township. At present, Thigaha charity group donated rice and it will last for 2 days. But, we don’t know how to cope with food shortages in the future,” said an in charge of the IDP camp.

According to the statement of REC made on April 30, there are 164,000 IDPs in Rakhine State. They are sheltering in more than 150 IDP camps including schools and monasteries as well as their relatives’ houses.

“The huts we’ve built are now ruined and they need to build again. But, we need permission to rebuild the huts. We need to build huts when there is less rain. Otherwise, people will face food shortages and worry about living,” said Soe Naing at Yathadaung IDP camp.

The Rakhine State government has issued building huts must be done under permission. The aims are not to scatter huts and for the safety of refugees, it stated. The Rakhine State government has constructed 7 IDP camps in 6 townships in Rakhine State and plans are on the way to build more camps. But, there are some camps with no refugees.