Fighting this week between Myanmar forces and the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine state's Buthidaung and Rathedaung townships has displaced 2,000 villagers, raising the prospect of additional food and water shortages in the war-torn region, RFA reported quoting relief and disaster management workers.

The total number of people displaced by armed conflict in Rakhine has now reached an estimated 22,000, with about 16,000 staying in temporary relief camps across the region and the remainder living with friends or relatives, they said.

The state government, however, estimates that the displaced population stood at 11,300 as of March 20, the latest figure available, according an official at the state Disaster Management Department.