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Snapshot |Psychosocial Support for Displaced Children in Rakhine State: Rakhine Youth New Generation Network

Thiha January 31, 2019
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Snapshot |Psychosocial Support for Displaced Children in Rakhine State: Rakhine Youth New Generation Network January 31, 2019

The armed conflict between Arakan Army (AA) and Tatmadaw has escalated in the north of Buthee Taung Township, in Rakhine during January, 2019. The displaced people fled from the battle affected areas are raising every day.

There are many IDP camps in those areas. Most IDP camps are organized by the abbot in the monastery. The government is restricting NGOs to access to the camps. Due to least responsiveness of the local government, civil society organizations started supporting for the displaced people.

Thus, Rakhine Youth New Generation (RYNG) Network decided to provide psychosocial support for displaced people – in particular internally displaced children – are among those who suffer most in the camps.

The local CSOs negotiated with the authorities to get permission for the network to come and support 7 IDP Camps located in the townships of Buthee Taung, Yathae Taung, Kyauk Taw and Ponenar Kyun.

RYNG Network contacted Paung Ku to support transportation, meal and generator fuel charges. Meanwhile, they collected the materials for the activities such as toys, story books, cartoons, songs, guitars and projectors.

The event started with a 7 days activities targeting 1656 children (Boys: 826, Girls: 830) including 889 students (Boys: 469, Girls: 420). RYNG Network supported to release fear and war trauma of the children. Plus, the network aimed to make the family members of the victims feel the happiness through their children.

Singing together with the Children at the Kyar Nyo Pin Village, Buthee Taung Township, Rakhine\RYNG

In the camps, they found the children hesitated to participate in singing, playing, and listening stories at the beginning sessions. But, the network members helped them to feel safe and confidence by playing together. Some children even performed dancing and singing enthusiastically later.
 
Children dancing happily at the Kyar Nyo Pin Village, Buthee Taung Township, Rakhine\RYNG
It was definitely one of the rare event where they got a mix of heart, spirit and fun rolled into one.  A child said “I am very happy to have a toy. And it is exciting to play interesting games with all of my friends.”
Receiving truck toys from the member of RYNG network at the Done Thain Village, Buthee Taung Township, Rakhine\RYNG

Playing games together at Paethadu Village, Yathae Taung Township, Rakhine\RYNG

Enjoying with drum at the Paethadu Village, Yathae Taung Township, Rakhine\RYNG
 
 

The RYNG Network applied child-friendly approaches for the displaced children. The affected parents cordially invited them to come again. They expressed thanks for the support. The event ended emotionally as the children are looking forward to the next visit with the hopeful eyes.

Watching cartoon at the War Taung Village, Kyauk Taw Township, Rakhine\RYNG

Children from Taung Minkalar Village, Kyauk Taw Township, Rakhine\RYNG

A child from Paethadu Village, Yathae Taung Township, Rakhine\RYNG