IDPs face accommodation difficulties

27 May 2023

DMG Newsroom
27 May 2023, Rathedaung
 
The IDPs at a displacement camp in the Myo Oo Monastery in Rathedaung, Arakan State, said they are facing accommodation difficulties since their shelters were covered with sports stand roofing from a township sports facility which were blown off by the storm.
 
Cyclone Mocha, which made landfall with destructive force on May 14, blew off the entire roof of the township stadium. The roofing fell on IDP shelters about 300 feet from the sports grounds.
 
“The roofing fell on our shelters and we would like to request local authorities to remove it as soon as possible for the convenience of the IDPs,” said Daw Wai Thein Ni, an IDP woman.
 
It will not be easy to repair IDP shelters and the IDPs are currently taking refuge under the stadium stands.
 
“The roofing must be removed. We are facing accommodation difficulties,” said Daw Khin Moe Hlaing, manager of the displacement camp.
 
When IDPs notified officials about township stadium, they were told that it is not presently convenient to remove the structure that landed on the IDP shelters.
 
When DMG phoned Rathedaung Township Administrator U Naing Lin Htet regarding the matter, he replied that he was busy with meetings.
 
The Myo Oo Monastery IDP camp is located in Taung Yin Tan ward in Rathedaung and is home to over 480 IDPs from 148 households.  10 IDPs were injured and one person was killed by the catastrophic storm.