Government focuses on durable solution for resettlement of IDPs, camp closures

Date: January 07, 2020

Photo: MNA Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye, Kachin State Chief Minister Dr Khet Aung and attendees pose for a group photograph at the meeting for the Strategic Plan for Resettling IDPs and Closing Temporary Camps in Myitkyina, Kachin State yesterday.

The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement discussed the Strategic Plan for Resettling Internally Displaced Persons-IDPs and Closing IDP Camps with Kachin State Government, local communities and social organizations yesterday.

The Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye first held talks with Kachin State Chief Minister Dr Khet Aung, his cabinet members and officials at the local government headquarters in Myitkyina.

He explained the ministry’s works on social welfares of people, handling man-made disasters and rehabilitation programmes in cooperation with the relevant organizations.

The Chief Minister and senior local officers presented their resettlement works, situations of IDPs, rehabilitation programmes for those who stopped taking illegal drugs and challenges for the local authorities.

The Union Minister, the Deputy Minister and the Directors-General discussed preliminary plans, security issues, financial matters and legal procedures in implementing the strategic plan.

In the afternoon, the Union Minister held a public meeting at Myitkyina City Hall and explained the government’s priority on ethnic affairs and ceasefire with armed groups.

He affirmed the Strategic Plan for Resettling IDPs and Closing Temporary Camps was developed to meet existing laws of the country and international standards as security, dignity, self-independence and durable solutions are crucial for the resettlement of displaced persons.

The Union Minister suggested to carry out demining works with relevant ministries, and to develop appropriate implementation programmes of the strategic plan with local contexts in Kachin, Shan, Kayin and Rakhine states.

He finally called for participation of ethnic people in making lasting peace while the government is focusing on the emergence of a suitable State Constitution that can ensure rule of law, socioeconomic development, national reconciliation, internal peace and a Federal Democratic Union.

Director-General Dr Ko Ko Naing explained the background of strategic plan and future processes, followed by the replies of officials to discussions of representatives from the Hluttaw and IDP camps. – MNA (Translated by Aung Khin)