Rakhine landmine victims need prosthetics and other assistance

Narinjara News, 15 March 2026

A number of Rakhine landmine victims need prosthetics and other assistance to survive in a dignified manner, as they are currently facing difficult situations to maintain their livelihoods.

U Aung San Htay from Zedi Pyin village in Rathedaung township of Rakhine State said, “Currently, I am only able to walk with a small crutch provided by the ICRC. When I was hit by a landmine, the ICRC measured my height and weight. Since it was a fighting period, I was unable to get a prosthetic. So I am hoping now to get a prosthetic.”

San Aung Htay was walking on Mayu mountain on 1 March 2023 and when he prepared to cut bamboos unknowingly struck a landmine, which exploded. He lost one of his legs in the accident.

He has to take care of a six-member family including his wife and minor children. Now he is struggling to do his job.

U Htu Aung, 50, a member of Rakhine ethnic group Mro, hailing from Upper Myat Hlu village under Ponnagyun township in Rakhine State also asked for help as his livelihood are facing crisis.

“I want help and assistance in the form of financial and material support. As I lost one of my legs, it has become difficult for me to work now. I am the lone bread earner to my family. Now, we all are facing difficulties,” he added.

Htu Aung lost his left leg in a landmine blast and he has to feed five children along with his wife.

U Maung Than Naing, 38, hailing from Sango Taung village under Buthidaung township, also lost one of his legs after stepping on a landmine in May 2024. He is yet to have a prosthetic leg.

“If I get a prosthetic leg, I can at least run a shop or do other business activities. So a prosthetic becomes very essential for me,” he said.

Now he becomes unable to support his family. He wants to start a small business to feed the family.

“It would be great if we get some assistance. I have a wife and two daughters. The elder daughter is in grade 7 and I have a sense of regret that I am unable to provide her the best education because of my physical limitations. We had been living as internally displaced persons since 2019. Then we returned to Sha in 2024 and built a house. During my working days, I stepped on a mine and it exploded,” added Maung Than Naing.

His wife Daw Thi Thi Kyaw also appealed for support with a prosthetic leg for him.

“If he gets a prosthetic leg, he will be able to walk. It will be a great help for our family. Now we are facing financial difficulties,” she added.

Many people in the Rakhine region sustained injuries because of mine’s blasts. In most cases they have lost their legs. Many of them are yet to receive any assistance and hence their families are facing extreme difficulties in making the both ends meet.