Repatriation, resettlement of displaced persons in Rakine State discussed via virtual meeting

January 16, 2021

Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye presided over a videoconference meeting yesterday to discuss maintaining strength and sustainability of infrastructures for the displaced persons in Rakhine State.
The Union Minister talked about implementing the agreements made with Bangladesh on repatriation of displaced persons who left for the neighbouring country due to violent incidents in Rakhine State in August 2017.
Myanmar Government formed a committee on 15 March 2018 to systematically bring back the displaced persons. The committee is comprised of two work committees led by the Deputy Minister for Home Affairs and the Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.
The committee is working together with ASEAN member countries to speed up the repatriation programme. The government spent over K18 billion for repatriation and resettlement programmes under the management of the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development (UEHRD), with the contribution of funds by region/state governments, local and foreign well-wishers, Daw Khin Kyi Foundation and partner countries.
A total of 1,854 houses have been constructed for Hindu and Islam people, and 1,294 units have been used for them. Over K1.4 billion of UEHRD was spent on maintenance of facilities.
Deputy Minister for Border Affairs Maj-Gen Phone Myat discussed the implementation of infrastructural development programmes in Rakhine State in respective financial years.
Deputy Minister U Soe Aung also represented the resettlement programmes and plans for preventing entering of illegal settlers near the border fence.
Officials also discussed electrification, transportation, and scrutinizing processes for the returnees.—MNA (Translated by Aung Khin)