By Kantarawaddy Times
IDPs in Moebye, displaced by floods after the Moebye dam released the water from the water gates in the past June. The displaced people are currently using unclean water which are now suffering from diarrhea and skin rashes, according to aid workers who are assisting IDPs.
With no proper place to stay, the IDPs who have been living near rice fields are consuming whatever water is available, leading to skin rashes in 7 out of 10 IDPs, as reported by a member of the Htun Myanmar Donation group, which is assisting the IDPs.
“They bathe in water from the rice fields, but since the water has soaked into the fields, prolonged contact with the water and the fields causes skin infections. When they bathe in this water, many develop bumps and rashes on their skin. Additionally, they drink water from the streams nearby, leading to diarrhea. The water is not clean,” a member of Htun Myanmar Donation told the Kantarawaddy Times.
A displaved woman mentioned that, apart from food, they are also in need of medicine.
“We are facing all sorts of difficulties. Now, the water we drink, bathe in, and even use for sanitation is all the same, and it’s not clean. Among 10 people, 7 are suffering from skin rashes, so we urgently need ointments and medicines,” said the IDP woman.
According to findings in some villages, the flood-affected IDP are also experiencing health issues, as stated by a representative of the Kayan Women’s Organization (KyWO).
“We have no choice but to use this unclean water, and we are constantly in contact with it, so it’s certain that we will experience itching. Right now, we’ve seen cases where it’s more than just itching, people are generally feeling unwell,” the representative said.
According to the KyWO’s records, there are over 2,000 flood-affected IDPs in Moebye, who still need ointments and medicines for skin rashes, clean drinking water, food supplies, and shelter.
