Interview
Border News Agency
Mrauk-U, August 19.

In the decisive war in Arakan, displaced civilians have been struggling with basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, as they are not receiving international humanitarian assistance.

Among them are also displaced people from areas under the control of the Arakan Army.

Border News Agency interviewed a displaced woman from Mrauk-U Township.

“My name is San Nwe Aye. I fled the war from Kyauktan in Sittwe Township. Now I am staying at the Than Chuang New Village displacement camp with my family of seven.”

“The difficulties are many. One of the biggest problems is that the children cannot go to school. I have been teaching the children myself. Just little by little, with whatever I can remember and manage.”

“There are also people struggling with food, clothing, and shelter. Many have no work or livelihood. The hardships are countless.”

“We have to workday by day just to have food for a single day. Every day, we struggle and search just for that day’s meal. There are so many people who live like this working one day just to eat the next.”

“There are so many kinds of assistance we truly need. At least some small relief support should be provided. In the past, we used to receive aid. But now, with no relief coming in, people are facing severe hardship. When we had some support before, even if just a little, it was somewhat bearable. Now, without it, people are in real distress.”

“In the past, the Arakan government did help us. But now, they no longer provide support. The relief programs have also been cut off, and that’s why we are facing so many difficulties.”

“The Arakan government used to provide some financial assistance. They helped us cover small household needs.”

“The hardships are immense. These days, when I look around, what makes me saddest is seeing the elderly. Day by day, they seem to wither away, and when I look at their faces, they are full of exhaustion.”

“Those who used to sell snacks could make a living before. But now… people don’t really buy them anymore. Even the villagers themselves are struggling.”

“It’s not only the displaced people who are facing hardships. The villagers are also under severe strain, and because of that, they can’t afford to buy food either.”