Challenging Social Security

Regarding social affairs, the conflicted townships of Minbya, Mrauk-U, and Buthidaung are still in a state of community insecurity, especially due to the threat of mine explosion. In one month, two men died due to mine encounters, and one man was seriously injured in these townships. According to the Narinjara News Agency, 71 civilians died, and 150 were injured due to the landmine explosions across Rakhine State from the start of the armed clashes in 2018 till the end of the previous year, 2022.

Moreover, it is reported that more than two thousand people were suffering from dengue fever in Rakhine State in 2022, said Dr Zaw Zaw Aung, Deputy Health Director. That number has increased almost five times compared to that in 2021, according to the list of the State Public Health Department. Related to Covid-19 news, more than 66 per cent of students at basic education schools in Rakhine State have received booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccination, according to data from the State education office.

Under the topic of education, prominent news could be found related to Sittwe University. The Rohingya students are still not allowed to choose their preferred majors and attend the master’s degree at the Technological University (Sittwe). In secondary education, the Sittwe Township Basic Education Students’ Union, the first in Rakhine State, was formed on 2nd July last year and has asked for official recognition by authorities. The formation is not much welcomed by the teacher community though the students seem quite decisive about their rights.

Referencing the news on 31st January, the Department of Rural Development disclosed that buildings would be delivered free of charge to the villagers in Zawmadat and Myitnar villages in Sittwe, affected by natural disasters, and the poor people will be in priority. As for environmental conservation, an international level Ramsar wetland in the Mayu Delta, Nantha island, becomes a concern for marine life and rare bird species ."Currently, rare bird species and sea turtles that visit the island for the winter are dying every day due to bird hunting and netting in the Nantha Island area. There are also losses of coral reefs and island areas due to heavy machinery ships and sand mining," said Ko Yan Naung Soe, president of Rakhine State Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association.