Humanitarian Challenges

Regarding the issue of humanitarian challenges, the data collected from the local media agencies are sometimes hard to reflect the ground information and thus, this reporting will also apply some data gathered from different sources including the United Nations Offices for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), and the ULA.

As of September 5, the UNOCHA had estimated that almost 9,600 people (about 2270 households) have been displaced in Rakhine state and its bordering Paletwa areas in Chin State since fighting resumed in early August. Therefore, the total number of IDPs in addition to the amount released by the previous round of clashes (74400) increased to 84,000 people. Some 22 days later, the UNOCHA again released the report which says another round of IDPs about 17,400 people have been displaced due to the continued armed clashes. 9*

The latest data from the UNOCHA showed that another batch of 16,500 locals fled due to the ongoing conflict between September 27 and October 25. Therefore, the total number of IDPs in the Rakhine and Paletwa regions has now increased to 90,500 of which 43500 can be regarded as newly displaced people. 10*

Another source that the report can describe regarding the IDP population released by ULA on October 5. The group said the total number IDP in Rakhine and Paletwa region till October 4, 2022, was counted as 82,419 persons in 20,357 households situated in 150 camps. Out of this total, 6,167 people are the newly IDPs due to the resumed fighting in August. Thus, the 76,252 people are the IDP population from the previous conflict. 11*

Compared to the two sources from the UNOCHA and ULA, there is a difference (1,852) concerning the number of old IDP populations such as 74,400 by UNOCHA and 76,252 by ULA. The difference is also found regarding the number of new IDP populations between the two institutions. For instance, until October 5, the ULA has counted the total number of new IDPs as 6,167 whereas for the UNOCHA, it is already 27,000 (9600+17400) on September 27.

Considering the two variations, it can also be regarded that the UNOCHA counted as less than the ULA did for the old IDP population where as the UNOCHA enumerated as more than the ULA did for the new IDP.

Independently, the Center for Arakan Studies (CAS) remains difficulties of accessing and counting of the IDP population, the report will also rely on these two sources in mentioning the backgrounds, locations, and situations of the IDP community. For the UNOCHA, as of October 25, the largest block of IDP community exists in Buthidaung township as 5,300 followed by Rathedaung and Mrauk U sharing about 2,000 in each township. The number wasn’t clear whether it is the old or new IDP population.

In line with the ULA sources, concerning the new IDP population, Kyauk-Taw township has hosted the largest group at 16,60 while Buthidaung stands at the second as 12,13 IDP population until October 5. As the data from the ULA is 20 earlier than the UNOCHA, the rest and the new 4087 IDPs shall be released between October 5 and 25. The difference in number shall also be understood as the variation based on the accounting system and information sources.

The IDP populations in Rakhine and Paletwa areas are also now under immerse in need of emergency assistance and humanitarian support. As the junta authority has suspended most of the humanitarian response in Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Myebone townships since 15th September, the IDP people in these townships are in need of the UN and INGOs’ assistance leading shortages in food, shelter, and other relief items.

In line with the ULA report on October 5, there are at least 52 infants, and 23 pregnant women among the 6,167 new IDP population. And, for the whole both old and new IDP communities of 82,419, pregnant women accounted for 954, disabled persons for 645 and unhealthy 572.