Rakhine sees refugee surge

Aung Than from Buthidaung said that the refugees were in bad need of humanitarian aid.

“Around 74 refugees recently arrived in the Alechaung village in Buthidaung Township. There is limited food, shelter and clothing. Alechaung has no school or monastery so they are now sheltering in villagers’ homes,” he said.

It is estimated that over 300 refugees have taken shelter in Buthidaung Township. 

Maung Thein Nyunt, village administrator at Sithaung, said: “Our village accepted about 300 refugees. They do not dare to go the river to make a living. They need food and we can hear more artillery fire.”

Tun Kyaw Sein from Nat Eain village said: “Nine of my relatives have arrived in Sithaung since Thingyan. Our village has more than 50 households. We heard gunfire and came to this village to avoid the fighting. No one dares to go to the forest for firewood. All the women came with us and only some men have stayed at the village. It is an hour away by motorboat. We can still hear gunfire from here. We are staying at our relatives’ homes but it is difficult to find enough food.”

Although aid had arrived to Sitaung village in Rathedaung Township, residents feared being forced to become porters.

Five villagers from Yasoe Chaung in Rathedaung were taken away to work as porters and had not been seen again, said their families.

However, others managed to return after one or two days.