Nearly 70,000 Displaced Children in Arakan in Urgent Need of Assistance
Border News Agency
Ponnakyun, November 20.
Nearly 70,000 displaced children under the control of the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government are in urgent need of assistance, according to displaced individuals.
During the one-year span of the Arakan Decisive War, nearly 70,000 displaced children were reported, according to a statement released on November 18 by the Humanitarian and Development Cooperation Office (HDCO) under the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government.
According to the statement released by the Humanitarian and Development Cooperation Office (HDCO), the displaced children include over 3,600 under the age of five and more than 66,000 under the age of 18.
The displaced children are reportedly unable to access vaccinations and are also deprived of basic necessities, healthcare services, and educational opportunities, according to displaced individuals.
"We don’t have any money for food or shelter. We came here with nothing, not even clothes. The children are now cold, and they have nothing to wear," a displaced mother from Maungdaw Township told Border News Agency.
Among the displaced children, Buthidaung Township has the highest number, with over 1,200 children under the age of five and more than 25,000 children under the age of 12, according to the report.
In Gwa Township, there are only 13 displaced children under the age of five, while Tounggoke and Ann Townships each have 370 children under the age of 18, according to the report.
Displaced individuals suggest that the actual number of displaced people could be much higher, potentially exceeding one million. This is due to the increasing daily influx of those fleeing conflict and others unable to reach displacement camps.
Families of the displaced children have expressed their desire for international assistance, requesting vaccines, medicines, food supplies, clothing, and educational support for the affected children.
"We want help from the international community. We want our children to have access to vaccinations and education. Right now, we don't even have enough to eat or wear. If there is no international assistance, everyone will suffer," a displaced mother from Ponnakyun Township told Border News Agency.
In the Arakan Final War, the Arakan Army has fully secured and controlled key regions, including Paletwa, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Pauktaw, Kyauktaw, Maungdaw, Minbrar, Myaybon, Ponnakyun, Rambre, and Thandwe.
Additionally, intense military operations are ongoing in Maungdaw, Ann, Gwa, and Taunggoke, with increasing military tensions also reported in Sittwe, Kyaukphru, and ManAung, according to the people of Arakan.
The Arakan Army has stated that they will eventually secure full control over the Arakan region, which is expected to intensify the ongoing battles and lead to a further increase in the number of displaced individuals. As a result, the people of Arakan must prepare in advance for the inevitable escalation of the conflict.
(Photo - A displaced child from Arakan / BNA)