Yangon(ANN) - Sectarian clashes in Rakhine State, westernMyanmar, have displaced tens of thousands more than previouslyestimated, the World Food Programme (WFP) said Wednesday.
"At this stage, WFP estimates there are about 90,000 displacedpeople in need of assistance as a result of the recent clashes," theUN agency said in a statement.
Clashes between Muslims of the ethnic Rohingya community andRahkine Buddhists have left at least 50 people dead and thousandshomeless this month across the State, which borders Bangladesh.
Earlier UN estimates put the number of displaced at around 30,000.
The WFP claimed to have reached some 66,000 displaced people withemergency food supplies this week in violence-hit communitiesincluding state capital Sittwe and several townships.
The emergency relief organisation on Tuesday appealed fordonations towards a three-month food assistance programme in thearea.
