The WFP harshly denounces the looting and destruction of its storage facility in Maungdaw, in the north of Rakhine State, by soldiers of the Myanmar junta. According to witnesses and reports, soldiers from the Nakhakha 2 battalion took control of rice stocks and burned down the warehouse before withdrawing during an assault by the Arakan Army.

The warehouse contained 1,175 tonnes of food and supplies, enough to support 64,000 people for one month, according to the WFP. The UN body chose not to directly name the perpetrators, despite the seriousness of the incident. Instead, it stressed that such behaviors weaken its goal of aiding populations affected by conflict in Myanmar. "The seizure of food and destruction of humanitarian facilities in Maungdaw must stop," a WFP spokesperson said.

The WFP has called on all warring parties to respect international humanitarian law, ensuring that humanitarian facilities are protected and safe access is granted for delivering essential aid to those in urgent need. The ongoing conflict in northern Rakhine has made it impossible for WFP staff to access the Maungdaw warehouse since late May, though they are actively gathering evidence about the incident.

The Arakan Army, which has been engaged in fierce battles with the junta, released aerial footage showing junta troops removing sacks from the WFP warehouse, preparing defensive positions, and ultimately setting the warehouse on fire.

The AA launched a significant offensive on Maungdaw town, near the Bangladesh border, in late May after capturing neighboring Buthidaung. The ethnic armed group has steadily gained ground, taking nearly all junta positions in Maungdaw Township by this month. On June 17, the AA urged all residents to evacuate Maungdaw town as it targeted the remaining junta bases.

"This destruction of vital humanitarian resources is a grave violation," the WFP stated. “We call upon all parties to cease such actions immediately and to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law.”

The unfolding situation in northern Rakhine continues to be dire, with the conflict severely impacting the local population and humanitarian efforts. The UN and WFP's condemnation highlights the urgent need for respect and protection of humanitarian operations amidst the ongoing violence.

BOB Post