The ongoing battles in Buthidaung Township have displaced a new wave of IDPs according to refugee camps.

People from Uyinthar, Shitsherdaung, Nwayonedaung and Sangodaung villages arrived at Zedi Daung Camp on March 29, pushing the total number of IDPs up to 1700.

“In the past few days, over 300 refugees were added to the camp. We now are mainly concerned with food supplies”, said U Kyaw Than, administrator for Zedi Daung village.

There are over 3300 IDPs in the camps of some villages in Buthidaung Township.

Villagers took refuge in the camps because they were afraid of artillery fire from the battles, according to U Phoe Tha Tun, who fled his home in Shitshardaung village.

“During battles artillery shells can drop anywhere and everywhere. One landed near our village, so we fled to the camp,” he said.

Currently, over 20,000 civilians have been displaced due to the fighting in Rakhine State.