In areas controlled by the Arakha Army (AA), local ethnic groups have been appointed and granted the authority to carry out administrative and rehabilitation activities, AA said.
At a press conference on June 8, AA spokesperson U Khaing Thu Kha announced that a committee on the affairs of various ethnicities living in Rakhine State has been formed, and local ethnic groups have been appointed to handle administrative and rebuilding efforts.
"Muslims and other ethnic groups in various regions are appointed to oversee rebuilding efforts in their respective communities”, he said.
AA is also aiding local people who have fled their homes due to the clashes, offering support with full humanity and without any discrimination based on ethnicity or religion, U Khaing Thu Kha added.
While AA has announced the appointment of relevant ethnic groups to regional administrative roles, there are suggestions that such actions need to be scaled up further.
"We have observed that AA has been very active and supportive in humanitarian efforts. However there is still room for improvement in appointing relevant ethnic groups in administrative roles”, a Chak (Thet) ethnic group member said.
Due to the clashes in Rakhine State, thousands of Rakhine people and ethnic groups such as Mro, Khimi, Daingnet, and Chak living in townships like Kyauktaw, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, and Ponnagyun have been displaced and urgently require humanitarian assistance.
Nearly 100 Khimi ethnic people who fled the fighting near Ingyinmyaing village in Buthidaung and have arrived in Kyauktaw are also in urgent need of aid, particularly shelter, as the rainy season is currently underway.
"We struggle greatly for our livelihood and rely on food donated by AA officials and locals. This situation is not sustainable in the long run. During the rain, our shelters leak. Prices are so high that we cannot afford to buy anything ourselves”, a Khimi war-displaced individual told DMG.
AA has declared that its political goal is not to separate from Myanmar, but to establish a confederation that ensures self-determination and autonomy.
