Flooded IDP camp in dire need of evacuation

05 Jul 2019

Soe Aung | DMG

5 July, Mrauk-U

The Sin Baw Kaing IDP camp at the bank of Lay Myo River in Mrauk-U Township is inundated with rain and river water, more than 400 houses are in dire need of immediate evacuation, relief workers told the DMG.

Currently, more than 100 houses have been affected by flooding and IDPs have been evacuated to a safe area in the east of the camp.

“Since the camp is located near the bank of the river, water swamps the area due to heavy rain. If the rain continues, the flooding will make matters much worse for people,” said Ko Khaing Min Shin, a relief worker at Sin Baw Kaing IDP camp.

Moreover, more than 300 other houses are now facing floods and the families are in dire need of evacuation. Unfortunately, the camp management team are dealing with financial shortcomings to build new houses for the refugees and they cannot be evacuated, relief workers said.

“We don’t know when we can evacuate all of them. If there are no donors, they have to stay where they are and this could cause health problems,” Ko Khaing Min Shin said.

Currently, more than 100 houses can be built in a safe location. About 10 houses are complete now and the other houses still need roofs and walls built, according to the officials from the camp.