Humanitarian State After the Ceasefire

According to the UNOCHA, in the second week of January, transportation of goods and freedom of movement for the civilian population were restored along the main roads and rivers in the state. However, the road from the town of Rathedaung to Ponnagyun townships is still closed, and checkpoints from both sides remain in place. The delivery of food, nutrition, health, protection, education, WASH and other humanitarian assistance to affected and displaced people have also gradually been resumed with the certificate of TA (Travel Allowance). However, access to eight restricted townships is only available for the urban areas, and the INGOs are not allowed to visit rural areas.

In the second week, the UNHCR and partner organisations are able to resume humanitarian assistance programs in the northern part of the state. However, there are still various limitations for the local NGOs, allowing only two weeks per TA and assistance for only healthcare services. In Myebon and Pauktaw townships, the World Food Programme (WFP), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have been providing support to the Rohingya Camps. Still, their reach is limited by what the regime is willing to allow.

According to a survey of 58 local CSOs, 17.6 million people in Myanmar are in need of livelihood assistance, better access to food and greater security, said in the January 15 UNOCHA (Myanmar) statement. Among them, 1.7 million people from Arakan are in need of livelihood and education support. In addition, more than 200 displaced children from Myeikwa village in Paletwa Township, Chin State, who are taking refuge in Mizoram state, India, are also being deprived of their right to education, according to aid workers. “I have sold my gold jewellery to continue my children’s education. Some children drop out of school to help their parents,” said Daw Cho Oo May, the mother of an IDP student.

Furthermore, more than 600 IDPs who returned home at the arrangement of the military council (Rakhine State) after an informal ceasefire on humanitarian grounds in late November are reportedly facing livelihood hardships. The returnees are about 200 IDPs from Dar Let Chaung Village tract in Ann Township and over 400 IDPs from Abaung Thar Village in Chin State’s Paletwa Township. The same goes for more than 20 displacement camps in Sittwe, forcibly returned to their homes by the junta.