Daw Ma Byakatu lives in a camp for displaced people in Rakhine state, Myanmar.
“Before this conflict we had a shrimp pond and boat-service business,” said the mother-of-seven, who lived in Pauk Taw before inter-communal violence broke out in 2012.
Forced to flee, Daw Ma and her family sought shelter at one of dozens of camps scattered around Rakhine state capital. Life in Anout Ywe camp is hard, she says.
“My eight-year old grandchild, Nueyarmout, has attended school and now he wants to study further – but there is no school in this camp.
“Now, we don’t have a business. We don’t even have work, so we are facing difficulties with household expenses.
Essential items for Daw Ma
“The World Food Programme provides us with food, but that is not sufficient because we have no money to buy other household things. Before [Islamic Relief came] we had to borrow pots and pans from our neighbour.
“We are very glad that you have provided us with a cooking set and hygiene kit. We don’t need to borrow pots and pans. We can now brush our teeth regularly with toothpaste and we have soap for bathing and washing clothes. We can dry ourselves with a towel.
“We feel like we have our old house again. Thank you for everything.”
Islamic Relief’s emergency response in 2012 helped around 100,000 Buddhists and Muslims affected by violence in Rakhine. Since then, we have continued to help vulnerable families in Myanmar to meet their basic needs and build brighter futures.