Military council distributes used roofing sheets to storm-stricken people in Arakan

0
590
Photo: New and used corrugated iron sheets distributed by the military council

The military council has distributed used corrugated iron sheets to people affected by the recent cyclonic storm in Myanmar’s western state of Arakan.

These sheets are not suitable for use as they even have holes, reported village chiefs of Panphechaung village in Yawchaung area of Kyauktaw Township.

The regime reportedly distributed 50 new and used corrugated iron sheets each to Panphechaung, Lanpikekwin and Meeyetpyin villages in Panphechaung village tract.

Meeyetpyin village also received two bags of rice (equivalent to four baskets), three bags of rice (equivalent to five pyis), 50 corrugated iron sheets, one-litre bottle of cooking oil, six boxes of instant noodles, one blue roll of tarpaulin and sanitary napkins, said the village administrator.

“We have received 50 corrugated iron sheets. About 30 of them are used and have holes. The holes had already been patched at the time of distribution. The rest are 20 new sheets, which are very thin,” said U San Saw, the administrator of Meeyetpyin.

Photo: New and used corrugated iron sheets distributed by the military council

With 186 households, the roofing sheets provided by the junta are not even close to enough for the residents of Meeyetpyin . Therefore, five households were drawn by lot and the 50 roofing sheets were divided among them, the administrator added.

He continued that the insufficient supply of the items has made those who did not have the chance to get them dissatisfied.

“What are we supposed to say? We have no choice but to be satisfied with what we got. All the houses in the village were destroyed. Only about six houses remained intact. The iron plates we got are used ones with holes,” complained a Meeyetpyin community elder.

Residents of Lanpikekwin village, which has more than 140 households, complained that the corrugated iron sheets distributed by the military council were not fit for use because among the 50 sheets were used ones with holes.

“Our village received rice and corrugated iron sheets. We received three bags of rice and 50 sheets of roofing for the whole village. All 50 sheets are used. They are used iron sheets that have been repainted. Some paints were not completely dry yet. They are not suitable for use,” said a young resident of Lanpikekwin village.

U Hla Thein, spokesman for the Arakan State Administration Councill, said they had provided both new metal sheets and those that had been temporarily used for buildings.

“I don’t know exactly how many sheets were distributed to each village. How can our government (officials) know the details about the number of sheets supplied. Each township has its own teams or committees for this task. For example, the state government might have sent 20,000 corrugated sheets to Kyauktaw. Among them, there might be 500 used sheets. At the township level, there is a brigadier general in charge of rescue and relief operations. The team he leads manages that,” U Hla Thein told Development Media Group.

U Hla Thein added that the military council does not plan to replace all the losses suffered by the population due to the disaster, but only what it can support.

Townships in Arakan State that were hit hard by the storm are struggling with shelter and water.

With the onset of the rainy season, they are in urgent need of adequate shelter, people affected by the storm said.

Sent by DMG.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here