Rakhine State, also known as Arakan, continues to be a hotspot for conflict, exacerbated by ethnic tensions and military actions. Less than two years after the Myanmar military’s brutal campaign against the Rohingya—leading to the exodus of over 750,000 people and accusations of ethnic cleansing—conflict has reignited. Over 500,000 Rohingya remain in Rakhine, confined to villages and frequently caught in clashes between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar military, while civilians in southern Chin State face similar struggles in active combat zones.
The renewed violence began in January 2019, with attacks by the AA on police stations. Established in 2009, the AA is a predominantly Buddhist Rakhine armed group that previously operated from Kachin State before shifting to Rakhine, where it enjoys widespread support. By 2020, the conflict escalated with daily clashes, shelling, and increasing civilian displacement, resulting in over 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in dire conditions across several townships.
The situation is compounded by an internet blackout imposed since June 2019, severely restricting information and humanitarian aid. While international attention remains focused on the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, those still in Rakhine face movement restrictions, minimal aid, and worsening conditions amid ongoing violence.
The humanitarian crisis in Rakhine is dire, with limited solutions in sight as the region remains isolated and plagued by escalating ethnic conflicts and military aggression. Civilians, particularly the Rohingya, continue to suffer disproportionately from the violence and neglect.
Arkanese IDPs in an overcrowded shelter housing 350 displaced persons with insufficient space and sanitary facilities. Conflict escalation between the military and the Arakan Army rebel group has uprooted more than 100,000 civilians since begining 2019. Kyakrit Khee Saw Monastery IDP Camp, Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine, Myanmar, February 2020
Thein Nyo is the largest IDP camp in Mrauk-Oo township. More than 3,000 Arakanese have sought refuge from 12 nearby vilages that are now on the frontline. Over 100,000 people have fled their villages in Rakhine since the armed conflict between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops started in January 2019. Thein Nyo IDP camp was set up in April 2019, water is only available from a pond. Thein Nyo, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Arakanese IDPs near Mya Ta Zaung camp for internally displaced persons (IDP). The conflict between the Arakan Army and government forces has displaced nearly 100,000 people in Rakhine State since beginning 2019. Mrauk-Oo, Myanmar, February 2020
Evening meal prepared in a collective kitchen for the 400 IDPs living in the monastery. Since war escalation between the military and the Arakan Army rebel group, more than 100,000 civilians have been displaced since begining 2019. Most find refuge in monasteries and pagodas. Chit Thaung Monastery IDP Camp, Mrauk-Oo, Myanmar, February 2020
Temporary shelter for 350 IDPs that fled ongoing fighting during the past weeks. They are sheltered in a monastery and its surrounding grounds. Kyakrit Khee Saw Monastery IDP Camp, Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine, Myanmar, February 2020
One of the village leader at home in Rohaudaung 5 Km east ofMrauk-Oo. The 500 residents of the village live since 2019 in IDP camps in Mrauk-Oo. The village has been evacuated as military positions are overlooking the road and the village and frequently shoot randomly at night. Some villagers, mainly men, return for acouple of hours during daylight to take care of the houses and remaining live stock. Animals and belongnings are frequently looted from the houses. It is too dangerous to stay at night, the last shelling was on 11 February 2020. Rohaudaung village, Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Precarious shelters set up on monastery owned land. With increased fighting between the military and the Arakan Army rebel group more than 100,000 persons have been displaced, Collective centres in monasteries are overcrowded forcing people out in rudimentary shelters with no facilities. Lahakaiza Monastery IDP camp, where more than 500 people found refuge. Mrauk-Oo in Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Arkanese children living in a camp for internally displaced persons. Aung Zaw Gyi Pagoda used as a temporary IDP camp, Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Temporary shelter for 350 IDPs that fled ongoing fighting during the past weeks. They are sheltered in a monastery and its surrounding grounds. Kyakrit Khee Saw Monastery IDP Camp, Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine, Myanmar, February 2020
Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Temporary IDP camp for displaced persons from Myebon and Minbya. More than 940 people live in overcrowded conditions with shortage of sanitary facilities and water. Most IDPs arrived at the camp during the past weeks when combat between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military was intensified. Maut Thein Monastery IDP Camp, Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Temporary shelters set up on monastery owned land. With increased fighting between the military and the Arakan Army rebel group more than 100,000 persons have been displaced, Collective centres in monasteries are overcrowded forcing people out in rudimentary shelters with no facilities. Mya Ta Zaung Monastery IDP camp where more than 1,000 IDPs have found refuge. Mrauk-Oo in Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Arkanese IDPs cooking rice for the 400 people that found shelter in a monastery in Rakhine State. Conflict escalation between the military and the Arakan Army rebel group has uprooted more than 100,000 civilians since begining 2019. Most find refuge in monasteries and pagodas. Chit Thaung Monastery IDP Camp, Mrauk-Oo, Myanmar, February 2020
Temporary IDP camp for displaced persons from Myebon and Minbya. More than 940 people live in overcrowded conditions with shortage of sanitary facilities and water. Most IDPs arrived at the camp during the past weeks when combat between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military was intensified. Maut Thein Monastery IDP Camp, Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Daily labour at a brick klin. IDPs from the nearby camp try to get daily jobs during the winter season when less labour is required in the fields. Thein Nyo village, Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Rice distribution for the 1050 IDPs of Mya Ta Zaung Monastery IDP camp. More than 500 people have arrived during the past 3 months since the conflict between the Arakan Army armed group and the Myanmar military has intensified. The war has displaced more than 100,000 civilians since begining 2019. Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Playground for the children of the 1050 IDPs of Mya Ta Zaung Monastery IDP camp. More than 500 people have arrived during the past 3 months since the conflict between the Arakan Army armed group and the Myanmar military has intensified. The war has displaced more than 100,000 civilians since begining 2019. Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Archeological site in the ancient capital of the Arakan Empire Mrauk-Oo. IDP camps and collective centers are now scattered around the site. The conflict between the Arakan Army and government forces has displaced nearly 100,000 people in Rakhine State since beginning 2019. Mya Ta Zaung, Mrauk-Oo, Myanmar, February 2020
IDPs eating their evening meal prepared in a collective kitchen. More than 400 people live in the overcrowded IDP camp. Since war escalation between the military and the Arakan Army rebel group, more than 100,000 civilians have been displaced since begining 2019. Most find refuge in monasteries and pagodas. Chit Thaung Monastery IDP Camp, Mrauk-Oo, Myanmar, February 2020
Arkanese IDP girl in front of one of the rooms used as a collective shelter for 400 IDPs that fled from 5 surrounding villages affected by the war. Conflict escalation between the military and the Arakan Army rebel group has uprooted more than 100,000 civilians since begining 2019. Most find refuge in monasteries and pagodas. Chit Thaung Monastery IDP Camp, Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine, Myanmar, February 2020
Arkanese IDPs in a Monastery compound where more than 500 IDPs found refuge from war during the past months. Conflict escalation between the military and the Arakan Army rebel group has uprooted more than 100,000 civilians since begining 2019. Most find refuge in monasteries and pagodas. Lahakaiza Monastery IDP Camp, Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine, Myanmar, February 2020
Arkanese IDPs in an overcrowded shelter housing displaced persons with insufficient space and sanitary facilities. Conflict escalation between the military and the Arakan Army rebel group has uprooted more than 100,000 civilians since begining 2019. Most find refuge in monasteries and pagodas. Lahakaiza Monastery IDP Camp, Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine, Myanmar, February 2020
Arakanese IDP and his child. The conflict between the Arakan Army and government forces has displaced nearly 100,000 people in Rakhine State since beginning 2019. Mya Ta Zaung, Mrauk-Oo, Myanmar, February 2020
Arkanese children watching TV in a shelter for internally displaced persons (IDP). Myo Oo Monastery IDP camp, Mrauk-Oo in Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Arkanese IDPs in an overcrowded shelter housing 210 displaced persons with insufficient space and sanitary facilities. Conflict escalation between the military and the Arakan Army rebel group has uprooted more than 100,000 civilians since begining 2019. Most find refuge in monasteries and pagodas. Shwe Thi Saw Monastery IDP Camp, Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine, Myanmar, February 2020
Elderly woman who has been displaced twice, from Maungdaw to Paktauw in 2016 and few months ago from Paktauw to Mrauk-Oo. Shwe Thi Saw Monastery IDP Camp, Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine, Myanmar, February 2020
Arkanese IDP in an overcrowded shelter housing 350 displaced persons with insufficient space and sanitary facilities. Conflict escalation between the military and the Arakan Army rebel group has uprooted more than 100,000 civilians since begining 2019. Kyakrit Khee Saw Monastery IDP Camp, Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine, Myanmar, February 2020
Internally displaced children from the Mro ethnic group and belonging to the Church of Christ (CoC) that fled from Ku Lay village in March 2019, the village is now used by the Arakan Army as an infiltration point and frequently under heavy attack by government troops. Eighty six people live now in Lim U Zaw IDP camp located on church land, Mrauk-Oo township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Temporary shelter for 350 IDPs that fled ongoing fighting during the past weeks. They are sheltered in a monastery and its surrounding grounds. Kyakrit Khee Saw Monastery IDP Camp, Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine, Myanmar, February 2020
Arkanese internally displaced person updating the list of persons residing in a temporary shelter provided by the local Pagoda for 225 IDPs coming from four surrounding villages. Parabo Pagoda, Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Daily labour at a brick klin. IDPs from nearby camps try to get daily jobs during the winter season when less labour is required in the fields. Mrauk-Oo, Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Daily labour at a brick klin. IDPs from the nearby camp try to get daily jobs during the winter season when less labour is required in the fields. Thein Nyo village, Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Land rented by the Monastery to accomodate additional IDPs arriving from conflict affected areas of Rakhine. More than 500 additional IDPs have arrived during the past 3 months. Mya Ta Zaung Monastery IDP camp. Mrauk-Oo, Myanmar, February 2020
Arakanese IDP displaced from nearby villages that are now on the frontline where regular combat occures between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops. The whole area is in a de facto lock down with difficult access for humanitarian aid, restricted movement and locked internet services. Thein Nyo IDP camp, Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Arakanese internally displaced persons (IDP) expelled from nearby villages that are now on the frontline where regular combat occures between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops. The whole area is in a de facto lock down with difficult access for humanitarian aid, restricted movement and locked internet services. Thein Nyo IDP camp, Rakhine State, Myanmar, February 2020
Archeological site in the ancient capital of the Arakan Empire Mrauk-Oo. IDP camps and collective centers are now scattered around the site. The conflict between the Arakan Army and government forces has displaced nearly 100,000 people in Rakhine State since beginning 2019. Mya Ta Zaung, Mrauk-Oo, Myanmar, February 2020
