Rakhine Extremists Plot to Starve Crippled Rohingyas in Rathedaung

Rakhine extremists blocked WFP’s access to the few remaining Rohingya villages in Rathedaung Township leading the hundreds of innocent Rohingyas to face starvation, according to a source of WFP.

Post the state-sponsored violence against ethnic Rohingya in 2012, only few Rohingya villages in Rathedaung Township survived from destruction. Two of them are Anauk-Pyin village and Muzair (Nyaung Pin Gyi) village.

“The Rohingyas in the villages of Anauk-Pyin and Muzair have been besieged and economically crippled by the majority Rakhine extremists. WFP, the UN’s World Food Program, has been providing them starving people with some food rations monthly.

Now, the Rakhine extremists have blocked the WFP’s access to the villages by building an unnecessary bamboo bridge in an attempt to starve the boycotted people.

WFP asked the Rakhine community to dismantle the bridge as it was blocking their access on Friday. The Rakhines replied that they would not do it because it cost them money. When WFP and some Rohingya elders in other regions said that they would compensate the Rakhines a triple amount, they have ignored the request.

And the WFP informed the Township Administration and the Border Guard Police Commander in the region, they too have ignored the request” said a vulnerable Rohingya in Rathedaung, declining to be identified.

“Now, the vulnerable and besieged Rohingyas in the villagers are going to face extreme starvation as they have no livelihoods, no opportunity for self-employment and are rendered literally jobless. We request the government of Myanmar, International Government Bodies and INGOs against the inhumanity” he continued.