Displaced families struggle for food, water and schooling in Myanmar IDP camp

Old Kran Khun IDP camp, situated roughly 80 km north of Sittwe, swelled to 1,643 occupants after the Myanmar military torched Kyar Ma Thout village on February 6, 2024, prompting residents like Sam Sam and eleven families to flee to AA-controlled areas. The makeshift settlement of about 400 straw and bamboo huts provides minimal shelter, while families such as former businessman Maung Tin Hla struggle to stretch limited cash and gold ornaments for basic needs.

Camp dwellers harvest firewood and vegetables from nearby hills, but over-exploitation has depleted resources, forcing longer treks and lower daily incomes. Water scarcity is acute, with wells at 600-foot depth and reliance on the Kaladan River during dry months, leading to health problems from contaminated supplies. Education suffers as roughly one-third of child residents have left school, citing financial pressure and trauma, while NGOs and the United League of Arakan face shrinking funding for assistance.