Proposal for new IDP accommodations at Rathedaung stadium rejected

By Myo Thiri Kyaw 17 Aug 2020

Myo Thiri Kyaw | DMG
17 August, Rathedaung

A proposal to construct temporary buildings for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Arakan State’s Rathedaung town has not been approved by the state government, according to an Amyotha Hluttaw lawmaker.

Upper House parliamentarian U Khin Maung Latt said the government issued a response on July 13 denying approval of the proposal sent on July 1, which sought permission to build temporary structures at the town stadium to accommodate recently arrived IDPs.

“The state government replied that it did not approve our request although State Minister for Municipal Affairs U Win Myint said in an interview online he would provide help for IDPs if people seek help,” U Khin Maung Latt said.

“Members of the state government previously said they would provide help for IDPs, but nothing has happened in reality,” he added.

Residents of villages in Rathedaung Township began fleeing to Rathedaung town in June after word that the Tatmadaw would conduct regional clearance operations in the township, and the number of IDPs in the town continues to rise, said Ko Bekka, who is providing assistance to the IDPs.

The town can offer only the stadium as a viable location to arrange temporary accommodation for about 700 IDPs who arrived at the town over recent weeks, Ko Bekka said.

“All places are full of IDPs,” he said. “Two families have to stay at places that have capacity for one family. They have to live in crowded conditions. Some family members have to separate; parents who have a stroke or paralysis cannot stay together with their children and children cannot care for their parents.”

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has provided nipa palm leaves for thatch, bamboo and wood to construct temporary shelters for IDPs, but there is currently no land to build on, Ko Bekka added.

DMG phoned Municipal Affairs Minister U Win Myint seeking comment on the situation, but he could not be reached.

On April 29, the Arakan State government issued a directive stating that shelters for IDPs were not to be built without first receiving permission from the state government.

Thousands of IDPs are sheltering at several IDP camps across Rathedaung, many of whom struggle to obtain adequate food, medicines and other basic provisions.
The number of IDPs in Arakan State has climbed to about 200,000 due to ongoing clashes between the military and the Arakan Army over the past two years, according to the Rakhine Ethnics Congress (REC).