Full extent of anti-NGO attacks in western Burma emerging

Attacks on NGO workers and offices in western Burma occurred last week after an international aid worker in the town of Sittwe removed a Buddhist flag that had been placed in front of their office. Tensions there are evidently at boiling point, and small triggers are sparking bouts of large-scale violence. On Tuesday I spoke with a senior staff member of an international aid group to get an update on the situation, and he explained on condition of anonymity that the total evacuation of foreign workers (and non-Rakhine nationals) from Sittwe was only the tip of the iceberg – indeed it was "the least of the concerns," given that the vast majority of activities by any international NGO (INGO) in any context is done by nationals.

Rather, "the entire infrastructure for the international community to deliver aid of any sort, let alone humanitarian aid, has been very effectively made inoperable in a clearly planned and orchestrated way," he said.

International groups had provided the vast majority of aid to camps in Rakhine state, which in total hold close to 200,000 displaced Rohingya Muslims, as well as Rakhine Buddhists. These attacks appear to be a major step towards isolating displaced Rohingya, who are largely dependent on aid.

Below is a summary that outlines the extent of the crisis in Sittwe, as explained by the aid worker. My emphasis added.

"Rakhine employees are being threatened by their own community to not work for INGOs, in some cases being physically beaten or family members threatened. They are resigning on mass. Inpats [non-Rakhine nationals working in Rakhine state] are terrified of returning. Rakhine landlords are being threatened not to rent properties to INGOs, shops are being told not to sell any goods, etc etc. Lists of 'offenders' are being made and called betrayers of the Rakhine nation."

He explained that the attacks on NGO offices have been far more extensive than reported, with suggestions that it was carefully calculated.

"It's also not just the 6 UN premises and multiple INGO offices that were attacked and looted, including the WFP warehouse that contains food for both communities. Nor is it the living quarters of aid workers in Sittwe that have been attacked and looted. In total more than 30 properties were affected to varying degrees.

"But more importantly, boats to deliver aid have been destroyed, vehicles likewise. With the rainy season approaching, boats are the only way to reach some of these camps with basic food and water. As you know, they [Rohingya] cannot leave to get their own. On top of that, INGO offices have been destroyed, computers smashed, files ransacked.

"Food and water will run out very soon, let alone any form of medical aid. Prices on the blackmarket for Muslims have already skyrocketed."

The small handful of UN workers still in the town are being kept under heavy guard. Yet their remaining presence has little tangible effect on the situation.

"UN agencies do not implement activities as such. Their implementing partners (i.e. INGOs) are not operating. At all."

The response of the Burmese government has been to send the army in and militarise Sittwe, "but that does not in any way restore the ability of aid delivery," he said. As for the trigger incident for the violence, he continued:

"The 'flag' incident reported widely as the trigger for last week's events was purely the excuse to launch what was obviously a very well planned attack on the entire humanitarian community in Rakhine state. The crowds gathered far too fast for this to be related to what was not even reported correctly (she placed it in her bag, did not dance with it or place it in her waist). It was only removed for about 5 minutes before she was convinced by her national staff to put it back."

When MSF was expelled from Rakhine state in early March, UN special rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana said the decision by the government could be "part of a strategy toward consolidating not only the segregation of Rohingyas, but also the oppression against them, including complete limitation to access to health." This appears to have now been achieved. Given that boats are the only way to deliver aid to some of the camps during rainy season, it's hard to read their destruction as anything other than a deliberate attempt to completely cut off the supply of outside assistance.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/full-extent-of-anti-ngo-attacks-in-western-burma-emerging/