Rohingyas In Pauktaw Are Facing Many Difficulties To Survive

Source RB, 20 April

Internally displaced Muslim people gather around a basket of fish at Ngat Chaung Refugee Camp in Pauktaw, Rakhine state, Burma. Sept. 13, 2013 (Photo: AP/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

 

Pauktaw, Arakan – A letter sent by the Rohingya community-elders from Ngat Chaung refugee camp in Pauktaw Township of Arakan state said they need many things just to survive.

As the place is under the sea level they are very worried that they will face flooding. It is also close to the sea so they could face cyclones. So in order to protect them from cyclones or windstorms they need to build a cellar which will costs 15 million kyats (USD 15,000).

They are also facing a serious crisis with drinking water as well as water for domestic use. They are in need of at least 15 gallons of petrol a day to get water through pipelines which is going to cost 105,000 kyats (USD 105) but they do not have that budget.

It has been almost 6 months now that 341 Rohingya refugees from Ngat Chaung camp haven't been receiving rations. They can't leave from the camp to work outside as the Rakhine extremists are always attacking them.

Since the MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières) left from Arakan state, they do not receive any medical treatment and many are sick and some are dying just because lack of medication.

The refugees also need to fix the roof of the prayer hall at their camp which will cost 1,150,000 kyat (USD 1,150).

They are seeking help from domestically and internationally to solve their difficulties. Six community-elders have signed the letter.

While the international community is giving attention to the crisis in Sittwe, the plight many Rohingyas in Pauktaw, Myebon, Kyauktaw, Kyauk Phyu, Ponna Kyun and other places are forgotten to be mentioned.