10 February
Armed conflicts uprooted scores of people from their homes in Myanmar and forced them to take shelter in camps for the displaced in Kachin, Shan, Kayin, and Rakhine states.
Even after the armed conflicts ceased, the issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs) remained unresolved for years.
At present, to close IDP camps and resettle the internally displaced with dignity, a National Strategy, written in keeping with current requirements and international standards, has been adopted.
The government will keep open some IDP camps where they are still needed, such as Kachin and Shan states. It will close some camps which are no longer needed or deemed necessary.
The policy of the government would ensure the displaced people rebuild their lives with safety and dignity, without depending on others.
To achieve this, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is implementing a strategy after listening to the voice of the displaced people. For the resettlement of IDPs, their place of origin, any site near their place of origin, or a site proposed by them is being given priority.
The Union government has guaranteed that it would implement projects to provide IDPs sheltering at camps with a place to resettle and job opportunities.
There are many children living in IDP camps. For the progress of the country, the future of our next generation is very important. For the successful implementation of its strategy, details about the government’s plans need to be provided at IDP camps in Kayin, Kachin, Rakhine and Shan states till inmates gain confidence to return to their place of origin or a place of their choice in future.
At the meetings held so far between IDPs and the authorities, the IDPs have expressed their worries about jobs, dwellings, and health services. Hence, the government is obliged to address their worries by systematically implementing its strategy in cooperation with the people, donors, and civil society organizations.
At the same time, the cooperation of IDPs is sine qua non for making the implementation a success.
Since the government took office, it has been focusing on ethnic affairs and ending armed conflicts. Peace and development are intertwined.
For the development of the people, ethnic armed groups are obliged to ensure long-lasting peace. In fact, the resettlement of IDPs can be considered as part of the efforts for building a Federal Democratic Union desired by all ethnic people.
Hence, participation by the people with the Union Spirit is a must for all of us.
GNLM
