Some residents of the Gyaing River area have yet to receive aid while various domestic and international groups are supporting people affected by the armed conflict in the river basin and villages in neighboring areas through relief programs, according to reports.
It is reportedly difficult for people affected by the conflict to receive aid as they live far from aid providers, information is delayed and assistance is limited to displaced people living in makeshift shelters.
On 7 July, [aid groups] provided 250,000 kyat per family to those affected by the conflict as part of a relief program at a monastery in Chaung Sone Township.
However, a woman from Dhamma Tha village, where houses were burned down, said she had not received any aid due to delays in getting information.
“We made it there, but they only distributed the aid to those who were on the list. Those who weren’t on the list didn’t get any help. So we just had to turn back. We had been waiting since early morning that day. They didn’t give us the aid even though we appealed for it. They said we could only get it if we were on the list,” said the woman from Dhamma Tha village.
The woman also expressed her wish that the relief goods are distributed more effectively and the residents need support as they have not been able to rebuild their houses more than three months their homes were burned down, making it difficult for them not only to find shelter but also to meet basic needs.
“We have lost all our belongings and have been in tears every day since. It seems like they are only helping those who can build a shelter and not those who are really in need. We’re suffering like this because we have no money. They are asking us to build a hut, but we can’t yet,” she continued.
Most of the locals who have not been able to rebuild their houses are either living in rented houses in Mawlamyine or in other suitable houses and displacement sites, the sources said.
Reportedly, only tens of displaced people have built temporary houses as the Mon State Chief Minister’s office under the military council has not undertaken any reconstruction efforts and other civil society organizations are providing limited assistance.
According to an IDP relief group, 416 houses along the Gyaing River basin were burned down by indiscriminate artillery shelling by junta forces during fierce fighting with allied resistance forces starting on 24 March.
Sent by IMNA.