Rakhine State government municipal minister Win Myint said that some money from the Rakhine State Disaster Management Fund would be spent on internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“We will spend this money for IDPs if required. We have a plan to use this fund. Currently we cannot yet visit these places. We will continue working on giving donations to these people in consultation and coordination with local administrative bodies,” he told Mizzima.

Rakhine State legislature assembly passed a 2018-19 financial year Budget for government in which 3 billion kyat was earmarked for disaster management. Rakhine State legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Mya Than told Mizzima that they had no objection to using the fund for IDPs in the State.

The fighting between Tatmadaw (government defence services) and Arakan Army (AA) has been fiercely raging since early December last year in and around Buthidaung, Rethedaung, Ponnagyun and Kyauktaw towns in Rakhine State.

During fighting local people flee from their homes and take refuge at monasteries and public buildings in Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rethedaung and Buthidaung Townships. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarians Affairs issued a news release which says over 4,500 people have fled from their homes.

Currently Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Ministry of Health and Sports and social organizations are providing food supplies to the IDPs but State government has not yet provided any assistance to them..