More than 16,000 additional refugees have been displaced by renewed fighting between the Military Council and the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State and southern Chin State, according to the UNOCHA’s data released on October 19.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that 90,000 people had fled the fighting in total, including those who were existing refugees and those who were fleeing the current armed conflict.

Fighting between the junta forces and the Arakan Army (AA) in the Rakhine state has persisted, particularly in northern Rakhine, leading to more displaced people and humanitarian needs.

Humanitarian efforts are hampered by restrictions on access to Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Myebon, and Rathedaung townships, UNOCHA said.

On September 15, the military council instructed the United Nations office and non-governmental organizations (NGOs/INGOs) in six townships in Rakhine State to suspend their visits and humanitarian assistance.

UNOCHA said food distributions are soon expected to resume in these areas due to their recent efforts.

As of 10 October, there were around 1.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Myanmar, according to the latest UN data. 1 million of them have been displaced since the military takeover as a result of insecurity and conflict.