MSF calls for humanitarian access to Arakan

Arakan News Agency 
MSF said international humanitarian organizations, including international staff, should be allowed to enter Arakan state of Myanmar without any restrictions to alleviate the enormous humanitarian needs there.
The appeal comes amid the continuation of military operations in Arakan, which began on 25th August, during which about 400,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh and are now living in extremely dangerous conditions, with limited access to health care, clean water, food and latrines.
The remaining population in northern Arakan, estimated at hundreds of thousands, lives without any significant humanitarian assistance.
“Our teams in Bangladesh hears alarming stories about excessive violence against civilians in northern Arakan,” said Carlin Kliger, MSF’s Emergency Programs Manager. It is reported that there is significant displacement of Rohingya and other ethnic groups in Arakan and other minorities. Entire villages and homes were also burned, including at least two out of four MSF clinics. Médecins Sans Frontières provided health care services in Maungdaw and Buthidaung towns in the north of Arakan, before it was suspended due to the lack of travel permits and the international staff’s entry into mid-August.
“We fear that the rest will not get the aid they need.” “All wounded, sick and chronically ill people in northern Arakan must be reached immediately and without delay, and emergency and other forms of humanitarian relief must be provided.”
The organization was concerned about the lack of access to health care for those remaining in Arakan and said that in the center of Arakan, close to 120,000 displaced persons in the camps are totally dependent on humanitarian assistance for their survival, due to severe restrictions on movement.