Up to 3,144 refugees from eight villages in Kyauktaw, Ponnakyun, Yathedaung and Buthidaung townships in Rakhine State are had fled their homes due to ongoing battles, said Ko Ko Lay, Chairman of the state red cross management committee.

“The IDPs are temporarily sheltering at Kansauk, Wartaung, Taungminkalar, West Ponnakyun, Yathadaung and Buthidaung townships. Myanmar Red Cross Association (MRCS) is providing assistance to the IDPs. We have already provided aid to the IDPs in Kansauk and Taungminkalar. We are arranging to provide aid to the IDPs in Wartaung. We are providing aid to Upper Thinpontan in Ponnakyun Township and will provide more aid to Upper Myat Lye. We are planning to provide more aid to the IDPs in other townships,” said Ko Ko Lay.

At present, there are more than 500 IDPs temporarily sheltered at Kansauk Village in Kyauktaw Township and over 700 IDPs are sheltered at Wartaung Village.

More than 300 IPDs are fleeing away from their homes in Buthidaung Township.

Authorities are restricting movement and provisions supply made by locals in upper Yochaung area in Kyauktaw Township, an area where food and other rations are about depleted due to armed conflicts that had broken out.

They are from Tewa, Athwin Pyinnyar and Ngasayinekine villages in upper Yochaung area and they deserted their homes from December 30 due to shortage of provisions.

Tun Hla Kyaw from Ngasayinekine Village said, “We were going down the stream as we cannot carry the provisions. We are facing difficulties as we cannot survive without food.”

The army and Arakan Army (AA) clashed in upper Yochaung area from December 16 and children and women are frightened as they heard heavy weapons and saw helicopters nearby. They heard gun fires near their village on December 27 and although they haven’t heard gun fires recent days, a local had an injury from a mine blast.

“We cannot say for sure whether the fighting is still going on.  But we definitely saw military aircrafts on December 18 and the fighting continued till December 22. After that the fighting ceased temporarily and resumed all day long on December 27. We heard small gun fires and three people from Latephar Village, Ponnakyun Township came to Kyauktaw Township and one man stepped on a mine on December 29. He had injuries in his hand and leg and was sent to hospital,” said Tun Hla Kyaw.

All people from Athwin Pyinnyar Village, who were taken shelter at Ngasayinekine Village, moved to a place near a road down the stream.

“Now we are staying at Wartaung Village and the village administrator provided bamboos and canvas to build tents. We need commodities and healthcare for children. Both sides need to consider for people. Leaders from both sides need to make negotiations. It is depending on the cessation of fighting to return home for us,” said Tun Hla Kyaw.

Over 240 IDPs are staying at Wartaung Village and more than 40 IDPs are taken shelter at Upper Myat Lye Village.