A delegation led by Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye made a field trip to Kyawukpyu, Rakhine State, and met with local people yesterday in preparation for closing a camp of the internally displaced persons-IDPs in Kyaukpyu.

Before the field trip, Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye held a meeting with local authorities at the General Administration Office in Kyaukpyu and heard report on current condition of the Kyauktalone IDP Camp and site chosen for resettlement of the IDPs.

Also present at the meeting were Rakhine State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu, Deputy Minister U Soe Aung, Chief Coordinator of the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development in Rakhine State-UEHRD Dr Aung Tun Thet, Adviser to UEHRD U Toe Oung, ethnic entrepreneurs from the UEHRD, directors-general of the Ministry of SWRR and officials.

First, the director-general of the Disaster Management Department reported on preparations for closing the IDP Camp.

Following the meeting, the Union minister and party visited Kyaukpyu and inspected Kyauktalon IDP Camp, the site chosen for relocating the IDPs, two conduit pipes and making embankment to prevent inflow of sea water and other tasks.

Afterwards, the Union Minister met with officials and IDPs of the camp.
Speaking at the meeting, the Union minister urged the IDPs to cooperate with his ministry through coordination in implementing the tasks of the National Strategy on closing IDP camps and resettlement of IDPs to close the IDP camp.

To establish the rule of law and bring about socio-economic development in Rakhine State, the state’s Stability and Development Committee has carried out tasks through its four working committees since its formation in 2016.

The committee has been cooperating with INGOs, partner countries and entrepreneurs in implementing the tasks for socio-economic development of the local people, but the conflict happened in August, 2017 delayed the tasks, said the Union Minister.

IDPs should shelter at the camp temporarily, and long stay there would damage the socio-economic development, said the Union Minister.

At the meeting, IDPs discussed education, livelihood, freedom of movement and difficulties for getting the National Verification Card.

In the afternoon, the Union ministers, MPs and authorities exchanged views with townselders and representatives of IDP camp over the resettlement plan.

The process for the closing the Kyauktalon IDP Camp and resettlement of IDPs would be continued in accordance with the national strategy.— MNA

(Translated by GNLM)