Friday, June 29, 2012

Rakhine State now stable, more aid needed: OCHA

0 comments
 
Friday, 29 June 2012 13:09 Mizzima News

The overall security situation in Rakhine State is reported to be stable, although emergency rule and a curfew remain in place in six townships, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Estimates say the relief effort will continue for the next three months.

Refugees from Burma Photo: UNHCR

In a situation report, the U.N. office in Rangoon said 78 people are dead, 87 injured and 3,000 residential buildings are damaged as of June 24, according to government figures. More than 52,200 people remained newly displaced across Rakhine State.

Humanitarian groups estimated that around 90,000 people are affected, including the newly displaced people.

A summary of the situation report’s finding include:

So far, the World Food Programme (WFP) has provided 725 metric tons of food commodities (rice, pulses, oil and salt) to over 92,000 affected people in five townships, Sittwe, Pauktaw, Maungdaw, Rahtedaung and Buthidaung.

A total of 14 representatives from six UN agencies, six international nongovernmental organizaitons (INGOs) and two donor agencies left for Sittwe, the capital, on June 27 to take part in a mission organized by the government to observe the situation in Rakhine State and to strengthen coordination
.
It said that despite no major disturbances since June 24, small-scale incidents have been reported in some remote areas. Security measures continue to be in place as tension between the two communities reportedly remains high in many areas including in Sittwe, Maungdaw and Rathedaung.

The latest official figures released by the Ministry of Information indicated that, as of June 24, about 100 communal attacks occurred in Rakhine State, resulting in 78 deaths. A total of 87 people, including two security personnel, were injured and over 3,000 residential buildings damaged. According to the Rakhine State Government, over 52,200 people remain newly displaced across Rakhine State.

Preliminary information indicates that Sittwe, Maungdaw and Rathedaung are the priority areas for aid. Urgent needs include shelter, food, medical supplies and education materials.

A total of 168 Red Cross volunteers are assisting refugees with basic health care and restoring family connections.

Mobile medical teams from the government continue to provide primary health care services to the camps in Rathedaung, Sittwe and Buthidaung, supported by U.N. programmes.

Six Emergency Reproductive Health kits have been delivered to cover the needs of 400 pregnant women.

As of June 23, the government has established 82 camps in five townships. Additional shelter units are urgently needed as the existing camps are already overcrowded.

Leave a Reply