NAYPYIDAW: Food rations have arrived for residents in strife-torn Paletwa in Chin State here where the conflict between the Myanmar government forces and the Arakan Army (AA) continues.
The emergency supplies were provided by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for the township where intense fighting had erupted since January, according to the Myanmar Times.
The WFP said the emergency aid arrived in Paletwa recently to assist residents who faced food shortage since the fighting started.
"Some 3,700 conflict-affected people have begun receiving the food aid over the last two days," it said.
"Families were forced to skip meals, and instead, foraged wild plants for food. Some resorted to selling or eating their livestock, a coping strategy that could hurt longer-term agricultural productivity and food security."
The UN aid was the latest emergency assistance to reach Paletwa since access to the area was cut off because of the clashes between the military and the AA since late January, it said.
The WFP said the delivery of the aid saw an attack on its five-truck convoy and that a worker was wounded.
"On April 29, the trucks carrying food aid was fired upon by unidentified gunmen while en route to Paletwa. A convoy worker sustained minor injuries and three trucks were damaged. Despite this, the convoy was able to continue its journey," it said.
"When the food reached a river crossing near Paletwa, the WFP shipped it by boat to its final destination."
Last week, 830 sacks of rice and other staples were also delivered to Paletwa by trucks under heavy guard using a new road built by the military.
U Soe Htet, state minister for Development Affairs, said the government was arranging the delivery of another 5,000 sacks of rice to Paletwa in preparation for the rainy season, as the new road may become impassable.
Last month, with the support of the Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Ministry and the Chin government, the WFP also helped deliver food and kitchen utensils to 2600 people who had fled fighting in nearby Samee town.
The AA, comprised mainly of ethnic Rakhine people, has been fighting for autonomy from the central government since 2009.