Kyaw Thu Htay — The Indian government handed over food supplies worth more than US$200,000 to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Arakan State on January 21 in Sittwe.  

 

Indian Ambassador to Myanmar H.E. Shri Saurabh Kumar said the Indian government provided the donation as part of his country’s efforts to encourage social and economic development in Arakan State.

 

“We donated the supplied items for IDPs because we believe they really need them and we would like to show our humanity. A responsible person from Arakan State reported about this [humanitarian aid need] to us and we decided to offer the donation,” Shri Saurabh Kumar said.

 

Arakan State Hluttaw Speaker U Kyaw San Hla requested the Indian government’s donation, which included 20,000 sacks of rice, peanut oil, rice vermicelli, Toor Dal, Chana Dal, pepper, turmeric powder, coriander powder and salt, as well as tarpaulin.

 

The donation ceremony at a jetty in the state capital was attended by Arakan State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu, Myanmar’s Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr. Win Myat Aye and other government officials.

 

U Nyi Pu said the state government would use the supplies to provide for IDPs without wasting anything.

 

Conflict between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) has plagued Arakan State for over a year, forcing more than 100,000 people to flee their homes. Many are facing difficulties related to lack of food, shelter, education and healthcare.