Food supplies to be cut off to Meiktila IDP camps
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Despite the fact many people remain in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Meiktila following the violence there 19 months ago, local authorities will stop providing them with food next month, according to the District Administration.
“We resettled 350 households in Chan Aye Ward and we will be able to reduce the number of IDPs. We will combine remaining camps into smaller groups in smaller numbers.
Starting from next month, we will stop providing monthly food rations, but electricity, sanitation and other necessary services will continue,” said Meiktila District administrator Tin Wai Thone.
Donations for remaining IDPs are welcome, he added.
Some IDPs have been relocated to Aung Zeyar and Sri Mingalar quarters, but the exact number has yet to be released.
A 68-year-old grandmother in Sasana Rakita camp said those who have yet to be relocated are mostly families who did not own homes. “There are eight members in my family and we all have been living in this camp for 18 months. Those who had their own houses and land before have been resettled. Only renters like us are left in this camp. I think the process of building new residences may take time,” she said.
An IDP at a camp set up in the district playground agreed. “Many from our camp were renters, they still don’t have a place to return to so they remain in this place. That’s why this camp is so crowded,” he said.
During the Meiktila upheaval last year, hundreds of were burnt and destroyed. More than 4,000 IDPs were still residing in five camps as of July this year.
