2 December

Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye met representatives of UN agencies, led by the UN resident coordinator in Myanmar, yesterday morning at the Yangon Region office of the Social Welfare Department, and discussed cooperation between local and foreign organizations to implement the national strategy on the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and closure of IDP camps.

The UN resident coordinator was accompanied by resident representatives of UNDP, UN Habitat, UNICEF Myanmar, IOM, FAO, UNHCR, WFP, WHO, UN Women, UNOCHA, UNFPA, ICRC, MRCS, IFRC, and INGO Forum.

At the meeting, the Union Minister said that out of the four work committees of the Central Committee for the Implementation of Peace, Stability and Development in Rakhine State, the Work Committee for Resettlement and Socio-Economic Development has been implementing the task of resettling IDPs and closing IDP camps since 2016, while trying to draw a national strategy for the same.

The drafting of the strategy began in 2018, and it was officially introduced on 19 November this year. The strategy will adopt action programs for the systematic closure of IDP camps.

The Union Minister said as the strategy has been drawn in accordance with international norms, the adoption of work programs in line with the policies, laws, and rules of the country in closing IDP camps is an important matter.

As stated in the strategy, region-wise work programs will be implemented after forming Union-, region-, and state-level committees. There are some other tasks in connection with the resettlement of IDPs and closure of IDP camps that the ministry will carry out before and during the adoption of the strategy. Those tasks will be integrated into the strategy.

“Connections is under way with UN agencies and the Red Cross, apart from the ongoing coordination between Kachin State government and KHCC, a Kachin social organization, in closing IDP camps in Kachin State. We are collecting a list of villages where the IDP camps will be closed and which are included in the resettlement program. In addition, we are coordinating with the Tatmadaw and the ethnic armed organizations for mine-clearance and raising public awareness about mines,” said the minister.

“As regards the dangers posed by mines, Myanmar representatives attended the Oslo Review Conference on a Mine-Free World in Oslo, Norway on 25 and 26 November for the first time, and discussed resettlement programs, the importance of humanitarian mine-clearing activities, and the different stages of the mine-clearing program. The discussions will be supportive of the strategy. There will be continued coordinated efforts as the task of the Work Committee on Resettlement of IDPs in Kachin State is in conformity with the national IDP resettlement and camp closure strategy. Pilot projects will be implemented in Kachin and Rakhine states. UN agencies and international bodies are urged to render their cooperation in implementing the Union-led state-wise work programs,” said Dr. Win Myat Aye.

In their discussions, the UN resident coordinator and resident representatives said it was an honor for everyone as the UN and international organizations were able to offer advice on and disseminate the strategy, which is being carried out under the leadership of the government after it was adopted with the involvement of a UN and international expert, Prof. Walter Kaelin. They said they were ready to partake in adopting and implementing work programs of the strategy, which are suitable for local needs in the future.

They, then, welcomed the marking of areas for pilot projects for adopting and implementing the work programs. They expressed the belief that the difficulties faced in the initial tasks can be turned into opportunities, and suggested the authorities listen to the voices of women and children IDPs while drawing work programs. Afterwards, they discussed the roles of the UN agencies, INGOs, and the Red Cross. — MNA (Translated by TMT)