Violence leaves 110,000 refugees in Rakhine State
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Officials have recorded about 150,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) living in government controlled areas in Kachin and Rakhine states.
“According to the final list, there are over 39,000 IDPs in Kachin State and nearly 110,000 refugees in Rakhine State,” said Than Htut Swe, director of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported in 2012 that sectarian violence in Rakhine State left over 70,000 people displaced during June and 30,000 more in October. Most are Muslims, targeted by Buddhist mobs.
Myanmar Peace Monitor, a watchdog organisation looking at the peace process, said in their 2013 report that the fighting between the military and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has displaced over 100,000 local people in Kachin State. This has resulted in the emergence of new IDP camps, both in KIA areas and government controlled areas such as Myitkyina and Waimaw townships.
There are over 632,000 IDPs including war refugees in Myanmar, according to the UNOCHA report. Although rehabilitation tasks can’t be carried out in Kachin State, operations to clear landmines have begun, in cooperation with foreign organisations, according to a ministry source.
Upon completion of land-mine clearance, the ministry will begin construction of housing projects for the IDP.
The ministry will also build houses for refugees who refuse to return to their homes in conflict-hit areas. Nine new IDP camps are also being opened in Rakhine State, at Kyaukphyu, Kyauktaw, Minpya, Mrauk Oo, Myaypon, Pauktaw, Ranbyee, Yathetaung and Sittway townships.
