Arakha Times (December 8, 2024)
The Arakan Army announced on September 6, 2024, that it had fully taken control of Thandwe Township in Rakhine State. Following this, residents remaining in Thandwe town were cut off from their families outside Rakhine due to the shutdown of phone and internet services.
Families in liberated territories could no longer communicate with their children working abroad or receive financial support from them. Ma Thein Yin (pseudonym) shared that she was able to re-establish contact with her son abroad through the assistance of the Lay Waddy (Thandwe) War Refugee Support Group.
“I have a son who went abroad. Our contact has been severed for some time now. Thankfully, the support group reached out to me once, and I received some money through them. But now the connection is lost again. When we’re far apart, neither of us can find the other. At night, sleeping and resting are difficult. Bombers fly loudly overhead, and when they target refugee camps, we live in constant fear,” she explained.
Since the clashes between the State Administration Council and the Arakan Army began in Thandwe Township, over 100,000 people remaining in the area have lost contact with their families.
Seeing the plight of displaced people in the refugee camps, the Lay Waddy (Thandwe) War Refugee Support Group has been working to reconnect families and facilitate support. Ma Poe Wah, a group official, explained their efforts:
“Our group, the Lay Waddy (Thandwe) War Refugee Support Group, was formed to assist displaced people in the camps. With the help of donors, we distribute food supplies and essential items. When we meet families in the camps, many have relatives working abroad or in other parts of the country with whom they’ve lost contact. Without phone or internet access, these families face extreme challenges, including financial hardship. So, we step in to help them reconnect and facilitate financial support wherever we can.” She said.
Most young people from Thandwe Township work in Yangon, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Ko Myo Thein, who works in Thailand, had lost contact with his family for over six months but was able to reconnect thanks to the Lay Waddy group’s assistance.
“Yes, I’ve sent the money—200,000 kyats and 28,000 kyats. I sent 200,000 and 28,000 kyats to Ko Tayzar Baa too. I’m also doing well. To Mom, make sure to stay healthy and buy some medicine to take. Buy some snacks and nourishing food to eat. You eat well too, and make sure to feed Mom, your older brother, and the two children. When I come back, I’ll also bring a phone or tablet for each of the children. Things are fine here. I’ve just managed to send the money now. That’s why I still have to save more. I need to save for documents related to legal stay and other formalities. That’s why I need to keep saving for now. But stay strong, alright? I’ll come back around the end of May. Don’t worry about anything. Fight on, fight on. Okay?” he said.
Similarly, Ko Myo Thein’s family also received financial support from him and were able to share updates with him about their family situation:
“Son, we are all doing well. The Lay Waddy (Thandwe) Refugee Assistance Group delivered the money. Make sure to take care of yourself too. Everyone here is doing well. How are you father? Make sure to stay healthy.” Said Ko Myo Thein’s mother.
To facilitate communication, the Lay Waddy group travels to hilltops over 20 miles away from Thandwe town to help families in war-affected areas reconnect.
During this period of conflict, money transfers and withdrawals have become extraordinarily expensive, with commission rates skyrocketing. Fuel prices have also surged, reaching up to 30,000 kyats per liter. Ma Poe Wah explained the challenges:
“Facilitating these connections is not easy. High commission rates and difficulties in accessing funds make things worse. Sometimes recipients have to move between camps or temporary shelters to receive money, causing delays and extra effort. And with the high fuel prices, it’s incredibly difficult.” She said.
Since the Arakan Army began its offensive on Thandwe town, the Lay Waddy (Thandwe) War Refugee Support Group has been providing food supplies, hygiene products for women, healthcare assistance, and support for reconnecting separated families.
To date, they have successfully reconnected over 200 families in Thandwe Township who had been cut off from their loved ones.
