Despite promises made by the military council back in April to provide special financial aid for homes damaged by the recent earthquake in Sagaing and Mandalay, affected residents report they have yet to receive any funds.
“We haven’t received the aid yet. They said they’d provide it based on the extent of the damage, but we don’t know when it will come. The administrators did come to collect lists of damages though,” said a Sagaing resident whose home was damaged.
The military council’s chairman previously stated at an earthquake donation ceremony that apartments would be built for earthquake victims in Sagaing, Mandalay, and other affected areas.
He mentioned that 51 four-story apartment buildings, each with four units containing a total of 16 rooms, would be constructed. He also announced that donations for the construction had already been received.
Buildings and structures damaged by the powerful earthquake on 28 March are still being cleared, with Sagaing residents saying they have had to manage the cleanup themselves.
“What should we expect from the government? When so-called officials visit, you see soldiers clearing here and there in the city. But for our damaged homes, we’ve had to do it ourselves, and we’re still cleaning up. The roads are passable now. Some damaged homes are still being demolished, and some are getting help from social aid groups,” another Sagaing resident explained.
The junta announced that during the first earthquake donation ceremony in April, they received over 125 billion kyats in aid, comprising 112.87 billion kyats in cash and 12.4 billion kyats in donated items. By the end of May, they reportedly received an additional 131.53 billion kyats and 23 million US dollars.
More than 51,000 homes and buildings, over 11,000 government buildings, more than 2,500 schools, and nearly 6,000 religious structures were damaged by the earthquake.
Even now, more than two months after the earthquake, cleanup operations for damaged buildings are ongoing, and hundreds of people are still living in temporary shelters.
Sent by Shanni Voice.