The United Nations special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, has travelled to Rakhine State this week. She was not able to visit some conflict areas in the state because of “security concerns”. U Mya Than, deputy speaker of the Rakhine parliament was quoted as saying that Burgener could not visit Maungdaw Township and refugee camps in Buthidaung Township. The reason for the block is because of safety concerns. “She told me that she wanted to go to the camps and give aid to the refugees, but the government would not allow it”. “I explained to her about the security risk of going to these areas”. Parts of northern Rakhine State have seen an outbreak of fighting in recent weeks. The fighting were between the Myanmar army, called Tatmadaw, and the Arakan Army, an insurgent group. Thousands are displaced and many without access to humanitarian aid. As a result, international aid agencies released a statement calling for the government to allow full humanitarian access. “Without effective and ongoing access, the ability of local and international organisations to provide life-saving assistance to all conflict-affected communities in central and northern Rakhine is seriously compromised,” said the statement. It was signed by organisations including the Danish Refugee Council, Malteser, Oxfam and Save the Children.