28 October 

Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye held a coordination meeting at the building of Rakhine State government yesterday to provide humanitarian aid to the civilians who fled their homes due to armed conflicts in Rakhine State and the resettlement of internally displaced persons from the Maungtaw violence in 2017.

In his opening remark, the Union Minister called for stronger efforts on the government’s projects in Rakhine State and providing effective assistance to them.
Myanmar government formed the Central Committee for the Implementation of Peace and Development in Rakhine State in 2016, with four working sub-committees. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is responsible for resettlement and socioeconomic development committee.

The Union Minister said that humanitarian assistance to civilians at temporary shelters must be systematic to ensure good results for them. He also advised to implement the national-level strategy adopted by the relevant state departments, international organizations and international experts for the resettlement of IDPs and the closure of temporary camps.

The Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development in Rakhine (UEHRD) is implementing development programmes with the cooperation of the public and private sectors, partner countries, local and international organizations and UN agencies, while neighbouring countries and ASEAN members are also providing assistance in this issue.

Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye also asked the officials who are implementing the projects in Rakhine State to discuss their facing challenges and present their recommendations to address difficulties.

Rakhine State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu explained the situations at the temporary camps, education and health services for them, and resettlement plans for IDPs from 2017 Maungtaw violence.

Rakhine government’s Security and Border Affairs Minister Colonel Min Than, as the Chairman of Management Committee for Shelters from Armed Conflicts in the State, discussed security, accommodations, education, health services, possible closures of IDP camps, travel permits for national verification card holders and citizenship registration for them.

U Aung Kyaw Zan, the Minister for Electricity, Industry, Roads and Transport of Rakhine State, explained resettlement programme for IDPs from 2017 violence, plans for resettlement of returnees who were accepted under the UEHRD programme, and temporary building designs for them.

Deputy Minister U Soe Aung also discussed resettlement programme for Rakhine State, and shared experiences on arrangements for civilians who fled from armed conflicts in Kachin and Shan states.

U Toe Aung, the member of UEHRD, also held talks on their ongoing implementations and the future plans.

Officials from relevant departments explained the works on citizenship scrutinizing, resettlement, education and health services for the civilians fled from armed conflicts.

MNA(Translated by Aung Khin)