Thousands of IDPs in southern Arakan face hunger amid aid shortage

DMG Newsroom

4 June 2026, Thandwe

More than 3,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) across Taungup, Thandwe and Gwa townships in southern Arakan State are facing severe food insecurity due to a critical shortage of humanitarian aid, according to local aid workers.

The displaced population is receiving little to no relief assistance, while a stagnant local economy and lack of job opportunities have left thousands struggling to survive. As a result, an increasing number of displaced people have reportedly resorted to begging for food.

“There are no jobs or income opportunities in these areas, so most IDPs here have no financial means,” a male aid worker in Thandwe said. “Because families have no income, an increasing number of children have turned to begging. This is happening in Gwa as well as in downtown Thandwe. If you look at the people seeking donations in the markets, the majority are displaced children.”

The IDPs are sheltering near forested and mountainous areas, staying with relatives, or living in makeshift displacement camps.

In addition to acute food shortages, many lack adequate shelter and remain exposed to harsh weather conditions, prompting urgent calls for housing assistance.

“The rainy season is arriving, and because these IDPs have no money, they cannot afford to buy tarpaulins or roofing materials,” a female aid worker from a Thandwe-based civil society organization said. “They are already struggling just to find food. The situation in the south is unlike the northern part of the state. The hardship here is extremely severe.”

Aid workers warned that displaced people are living hand-to-mouth and that conditions will worsen significantly if international or local aid does not arrive soon.

The crisis has been compounded by soaring prices of basic food commodities, further increasing the vulnerability of IDPs who remain dependent on humanitarian assistance.

“There are virtually no aid organizations operating in these southern areas, perhaps only about three in total,” a female aid worker in Ramree who is assisting southern IDPs said. “Unlike the northern townships, which have a broader network of support, the IDPs here receive very little assistance. They have no income, and there is no casual work available. They are desperate for relief organizations to reach them.”

Escalating conflict in Arakan State has displaced nearly 600,000 residents since November 2023, creating widespread humanitarian challenges related to food security and access to healthcare.

Since the onset of the fighting, the Myanmar military regime has enforced a stringent blockade on Arakan State, disrupting transportation and supply routes. The blockade has severely affected local livelihoods, with displaced communities bearing the brunt of the economic hardship.