123,000 Myanmar people flee into Bangladesh

Rohingya people flee from Rakhine state, Myanmar (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – More than 123,000 people in Rakhine state of Myanmar, mostly Rohingya Muslims, have fled into Bangladesh since fighting broke out between government military and insurgents late last month, reported the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

Mohammed Abdiker, Director of the IOM on September 5 said more people may flee from Rakhine into Bangladesh before the situation becomes stable.

Refugees from Myanmar will face severe difficulties without international assistance, he added.

[Myanmar: Tens of thousands of people in Rakhine flee into Bangladesh]

The same day, the IOM and its partners called for aid worth 18 million USD to support Myanmar immigrants.

Chief of the IOM Bangladesh Sarat Dash said there was hardly any space for new refugees, with new comers forced to set up temporary tents amid severe weather conditions.

The increasing number of people fleeing Myanmar has overloaded refugee facilities, Dash stated, adding that new shelters need to be built to ensure safety for refugees.

The United Nations on September 5 also voiced concern about violence in Myanmar, with reports of people losing their lives while seeking refuge.

Clashes between Myanmar army and insurgents flared up in Rakhine state as gunmen attacked 24 police posts and broke into a military outpost in Rakhine on August 24. To date, at least 110 people have been killed.-VNA