30 April 2021
Since tents are seriously destroyed and a shortage of shelter is occurred in certain refugee camps from Rakhine State, the responsible persons from camps state that they need donors in order to repair on time before the rainy season.
Ruined refugee camps include Kam Htaunt Gyi Refugee Camp and Sanyin Refugee Camp in Myebon Township and Nyaung Chaung Refugee Camp in Kyauktaw Township.
Ko Khaing Myo Aung, the responsible person of Nyaung Chanug Refugee Camp in Kyauktaw Township, states that there are 820 households and more than 3400 people in that camp. At least one-third of all tents are ruined and the shelters of two-thirds are damaged. Hence, it is urgently necessary to repair them.
“The top-roofs and shelters are worn-out and cannot be used anymore. The side-shelters are not good enough for use. The foundation pillars have been ruined. Here is however no donor. We are concerned they will face the struggle with their spoiled shelters during the rainy season. It will make them difficult to sleep or stay inside. As they are trying tough even for their survival, no extra money can be used for such kind of maintenance with their own. Even if they get the bamboos or woods from forests, most households are not able to repair themselves because of the lack of skillful housing-workers,” said Ko Khaing Myo Aung.
Those living in this camp are mostly from Tin Ma village and Pyaing Taing village. Such villages had been burned before and the villagers are still facing difficulty to return homes.
Ko Maung Aye Thar, the responsible person of Kam Htaunt Gyi Refugee Camp, states that there are 301 households and 1062 people are living there. Among 400 tents listed, almost all are in a crumbling condition.
“Almost all tents are crumbling. As for mending, money is essential to buy dhani for shelter and bamboo. If not repaired, people will undoubtedly face the difficulty for living during the rainy season. Those living in this camp have lost their own homes, yards or gardens and then are still facing difficulty to return their original residence,” said Ko Maung Aye Thar.
Those living in this camp are from Dalet, Hinkayaw, Nyaung Kan and Sin Ohnn Dime villages in Myebon Township. Most of them faced difficulty to return homes because of the loss of their own homes, lands or gardens.
Besides there are 137 households and more than 400 people at Sanyin Refugee Camp in Myebone Township. This camp is not officially recognized by government and certain tents are in ruins.
Regarding the damage of the tents, the government has not yet taken a response and there is also no non-governmental donation so those who are living in camps are concerned for the coming rainy season.
Responsible persons from the camp state that people from most camps are working randomly for their welfare because only few donors reached out to them.
Due to the battles starting from early-December 2018, more than 200,000 people left their home for their safety. There is no confrontation for about five months between Myanmar Army and Arakan Army (AA) so certain refugees are returning to their original places.
At present there are more than 160,000 refugees in 148 camps. The reasons for not returning to their villages include the loss of their homes, the camping of military junta near their villages or the anxiety of bombing hazard.
Sent by
Aung Htain (DMG)