By Kan Htun / MPA
Thousands of civilians in the strategic port town of Kyaukphyu are in urgent need of food, water, and medical aid as the battle between the Arakan Army (AA) and Myanmar’s military junta intensifies.
February 20 marked exactly one year since the AA launched its offensive to seize Kyaukphyu, a key hub for international energy projects. As the conflict drags on, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has surged to nearly 35,000, overwhelming local aid groups and temporary shelters.
“The influx of new arrivals has pushed our resources to the breaking point,” a local volunteer told MPA. “Housing and basic food supplies remain our most critical challenges.”
Kyaukphyu’s economy is traditionally split between farming and fishing. However, residents say the Myanmar Navy has effectively paralyzed the local fishing industry through constant patrols, arrests, and interrogations.
“The Navy has been harassing us at sea for a long time, making it impossible to earn a living,” said one displaced man. “Being forced to flee our homes on top of that has pushed us into a total dead end. We have nothing left.”
The displaced are currently scattered across monasteries, schools, and makeshift camps in Kyaukphyu and neighboring Ramree townships. Many have been forced to sleep in open fields or forests, constructing rudimentary shelters using palm leaves for protection against the elements.
In addition to the lack of shelter, aid workers are warning of a looming health crisis. “The sheer volume of people has made access to clean drinking water a major challenge,” a relief worker explained. “We are also deeply concerned about the elderly and those with chronic illnesses who have no access to proper medical care.”
While local civil society organizations are doing their best to provide emergency relief, the scale of the displacement has far outpaced the available aid. Kyaukphyu remains one of the most contested areas in Rakhine State, as the military fights to maintain control over its last remaining urban strongholds and strategic infrastructure.
