27 Dec
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement outlined the national strategy on the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and closure of IDP camps yesterday at a meeting held at the City Hall in Lashio, Shan State.
The meeting was attended by members of the Shan State Cabinet, MPs, departmental officials, officials from IDP camps, representatives of ethnic cultural groups, SCOs, UN agencies, NGOs, INGOs, and displaced persons.
Speaking at the meeting, Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr. Win Myat Aye said the national-level strategy was written in keeping with current requirements and Myanmar law, and it meets international standards. He promised that the strategy would also support the implementation of works, in accordance with the basic social principles of the Union Accord of the second session of the Union Peace Conference-21st Century Panglong.
“The strategy was written focusing on all IDPs and IDP camps in the country,” said Dr. Win Myat Aye, “However, it is a requirement to draw a separate work plan for each region and to implement it in the long run because the regions are different,” he said.
“While seeking ways for ending the issue of internal displacement and to secure the return of IDPs with safety and dignity, the strategy has been drafted, and all are urged to cooperate with the government,” he added.
Afterwards, Dr. Ko Ko Naing, director-general of the Disaster Management Department said the IDP camps would be closed and humanitarian aid would be provided to IDPs for a certain period of time.—MNA (Translated by GNLM)
