Arakan News Agency
Situation for the Rohingyas affected by floods remain dismal in all townships as little aid has reached them more than a week after deadly floods hit the area.
In the first days of the floods, the security forces and government officials while aiding the Buddhist populace and bringing much needed relief goods totally ignored the Rohingya populace. In Kyauktaw, Rohingyas were turned out of shelters while in Akyab, a hostile Rakhine populace warned Rohingyas fleeing floods to go back to their neighbourhoods or face dire consequences.
Such threats have abated as many NGOs and humanitarian organisations have arrived in Arakan over the last few days. It is unlikely that either the government or the Rakhine nationalists will commit violence in full view of the humanitarian organisations. But even here politics is being played out, according to local Rohingyas.
One of the favoured trick of the administration is to direct the aid givers to areas where there is a majority Rakhine populace saying these are the worst affected zones. This is not too difficult as the townships most affected by floods e.g. Akyab, Kyauktaw and Mrauk U have a majority Rakhine populace.
But as Rohingyas have been living under unfavourable circumstances for many years, some of their affected communities are more vulnerable. Many live in remote areas where it is easy for the authorities to confine them. Under such a scenario, they continue to be the worst sufferers.
Some aid has reached Rohingyas especially the IDPs in the Akyab region who are among the most vulnerable. But altogether the conditions of the Rohingyas remain grim.
Another striking feature has been the stubborn denial of the hospitals to treat Rohingya patients leading to the deaths of many infants.
Source : burmatimes
