14 Aug
Union Minister for the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye yesterday visited two villages in Kachin State where former IDPs returned to their homes, and inspected the process of rehabilitation. The Union Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Minister, the Kachin State Chief Minister, regional ministers, the Director-General of the ministry, and other relevant officials. The visit of the Union Minister and his entourage also reflects implementation of the “agreements in social sector basic principle” included in the Union Accord and the COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan (CERP).
The Union Minister and his entourage visited Nansangyang Village in Waingmaw Township, Kachin State, and said words of encouragement to the former IDPs. The Union Minister went to the Basic Education Middle School of the village and the rural sub-health centre to make discussions with relevant officials. Then, the Union Minister inspected 100 acres of arable lands that will be used in the process of rehabilitation for the former IDPs.
During his meeting with the villagers, the Union Minister said that the government is giving higher priority to ethnic matters and national peace, and providing assistance to IDPs. He informed the villagers that the National Strategy on Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Closure of IDP Camps has already been drafted, approved, and implemented. He also explained the ministry’s works for various matters including providing aid to vulnerable groups, anti-drug efforts and education.
Speaking on alleviating the impact of COVID-19 crisis, the Union Minister said that the government is implementing the CERP. During the meeting, the Deputy Minister, the Kachin State Chief Minister and the Director-General also explained their works. In accordance with the CERP, the Ministry gave K40,000 to each of the 98 households in the Nansangyang Village (total K3.92 million), and handed over K1.5 million to the relevant officials for creating “Child Friendly Space”. The Kachin State government provided 16 rice bags for the households in the village.
Similarly, the Union Minister and his entourage visited Dabatyang Village and said inspiring words to the villagers. For resettlement of IDPs in the Kachin State, China recently contributed Yuan 4 million. Yesterday, the Union Minister handed over the money to the Kachin State Chief Minister Dr Khet Aung at the Kachin State Government Office in Myitkyina.
The Union Minister and his entourage also handed over a total of K353.6 million for 8,840 households (K40,000 per household) in the IDP camps in Kachin State, K203.6 million for disabled persons in the state, K25 million for elderly persons in the IDP camps, K151.1 million as social pension for the last quarter of 2020, and K3 million for creating “Child Friendly Spaces” in the two villages. The Kachin State Chief Minister Dr Khet Aung expressed thanks to the Union Minister.
MNA (Translated by Maung Maung Swe)
