Border News Agency
Maungdaw, August 6.
Maung Tun Hlaing, a teenager, and Maung Than Sein, in his early twenties, from Thiho Aye Village in Maungdaw Township, are in urgent need of prosthetic leg support.
Both of them had one of their legs amputated after stepping on landmines.
Family members say that Maung Tun Hlaing lost his leg after stepping on a landmine while harvesting cashew nuts in Thiho Aye this past May.
At just 13 years old, he continues his education with one leg, but faces many difficulties and challenges.
He says he is in urgent need of a prosthetic leg to help him cope.
“I just want to be like I used to be someone with both legs,” said Maung Tun Hlaing, who lost one of his legs to a landmine. “Now that I’ve lost my leg, going to school, taking a bath, even moving around has become really difficult. I need a prosthetic leg to replace the one I lost. If I had one, I could move and get around like before. Right now, my parents are really struggling just to take care of me,” he told Border News Agency.
In addition, Maung Than Sein, who is in his early twenties, said that in recent months he had been working daily in Wethali Village to support his family’s livelihood.
He explained that while clearing grass near a school in the village for a daily wage of 35,000 kyats, he accidentally stepped on a landmine and lost one of his legs.
He said that since losing one of his legs, he can no longer work to support his family, and therefore needs a prosthetic leg.
He added that he still wants to continue working like he used to, which is why he urgently needs a prosthetic limb.
“Right now, I’m just getting by with the food my older brother provides. I really want to help out too. I want to be able to earn and buy essential things like rice, oil, and salt for my family, just like I used to. But since I lost one of my legs, I can’t do anything to help,” said Maung Than Sein, who lost a leg due to a landmine.
“I need a prosthetic leg to replace the one I lost. I want to ask for support,” he told Border News Agency.
Maungdaw Township has been fully captured and brought under control by the Arakan Army since December 8 of last year, and the group is reportedly carrying out mine clearance operations in the area.
However, local residents say that landmines planted by the Myanmar junta remain widespread, and further demining efforts are still urgently needed.
“ULA/AA has been clearing landmines, but since many still remain, people are continuing to be killed or injured. That’s why more demining work is urgently needed. Landmines are still present around the villages where people live and in areas surrounding the town,” said a resident of Thiho Aye Village, speaking to Border News Agency.
“I feel deeply saddened that our villagers are suffering because of these landmines. That’s why I want to appeal for support and assistance,” he added.
Civilians who rely on the surrounding forests and mountains for their daily survival say they live in constant fear of landmines. Despite knowing the risks, many continue to search for vegetables and fish activities that have already resulted in numerous deaths and injuries due to hidden mines.
Although the Arakan Army is conducting mine clearance operations in the townships they control, civilians continue to frequently face dangers from landmines and leftover unexploded ordnance. People report that injuries and deaths caused by landmines still occur regularly.
As a result, civilians including those displaced by the conflict are facing difficulties in securing food and basic necessities, while also confronting ongoing challenges related to safety and security, locals say.
Moreover, due to ongoing fears about landmines and unexploded ordnance, locals are calling on the Arakan Army and the international community to provide assistance with demining efforts.
