20 May

Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development in Rakhine (UEHRD) held a work coordination meeting at the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) in Yangon yesterday morning.

Vice Chairman (1) of the UEHRD, Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Dr. Win Myint Aye discussed the implementation status of UEHRD activities with UEHRD committee members and members of the OWG – Outreach Working Group.

Speaking at this coordination meeting, Dr. Win Myat Aye said public and private organizations, local NGOs and CSOs, friendly partner countries, UN agencies and INGOs were all working together under the leadership of the Union government to provide effective humanitarian assistance, resettlement and rehabilitation assistance.

They were also working on development of the region and long term peace and security and an end to conflicts. In bringing about development, peace and security of the region rule of law played a vital role and it was important for the different organizations to communicate and work with each other as this was a team effort. Communications between the Yangon UEHRD office and the one in Nay Pyi Taw, in particular, was very important.

He then said youth must not be left out in UEHRD activities. A youth policy has already been drawn up by Myanmar youths themselves. Different strategies to tackle conflicts in different regions/states have been drawn up. There were youths who wished to contribute their time and labour in Rakhine State. UEHRD selected these youths through online applications and provided them training before sending them to the field. This has been a success as they did well on the ground. This was why he wanted to revive the UEHRD youth volunteer program.

On the part of ASEAN, they have initially conducted several assessments on the efforts concerning welcoming back displaced persons and were preparing to conduct better and more comprehensive assessments. UEHRD would be working with ASEAN. Afterwards, Dr. Win Myat Aye met with members of the OWG – Outreach Working Group of the UEHRD. They discussed countering rumors and false news spread on social media and other means of communicating and informing the public and the world of the genuine developments on the ground.—MNA 

(Translated by Alphonsus)