Aid for Rakhine discussed

 September 19, 2017

The delegation led by Ms. Renata Dessallien, United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) and the delegation led by Mr. Patrick Murphy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South-East Asia, called separately on Dr. Win Myat Aye, Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, at the May Kha Lar Hall of the Office of the Ministry yesterday to discuss aid for Rakhine.

“We had felt pleased and acknowledged the performances of the government for Rakhine State. We would like to help and cooperate in supporting food and commodities currently and in making rehabilitation and resettlement more broadly in the long run. We would like the government to help the local people to understand the tasks of the organizations as UN organisations and international NGOs are responsible to carry out duties according to organisations and their designated responsibilities. In providing subsidies, aid may differ depending upon kinds of sufferings. The fact should be taken into consideration”, said Ms. Renata Dessallien.

In the meeting the British Ambassador said, “Now is the time to meet and discuss finding the ways and means to sufficiently provide humanitarian aid.

Tasks for resettlement are voluminous, so we would like to collectively help Myanmar in finding ways for using all resources as much as possible. There may be many related programs of providing humanitarian aid to be implemented in the long run. We would like Myanmar to cooperate as needed, concerning aid to be provided by international communities. We were well convinced of the hardships experienced in carrying out the tasks of the government. Negotiations need to be made broadly.”

The Union Minister said, “The State Government is trying their best for the successful implementation in dealing with Rakhine State affairs. Situations which the country is solving currently are different from those in the period when suggestions on Rakhine State were made. Now the government is making efforts to implement under the current situations. In supporting humanitarian aid, we hope that international communities will be able to closely connect with the State Government. Simultaneously, we believe that we can discuss applicable means and ways with supportive partner groups. Practically applicable strategies are to be laid down after selecting sectors to be prioritized, as we are required to implement suggestions and responsibilities of the committee for implementation over suggestions on Rakhine State being carried out by myself as chairperson. The State Government is carrying out the support to Rakhine State under the Red Cross Movement programme. All those involved are striving very hard for the success as much as possible.”

Afterward, in regards to the Red Cross Movement, matters for success and convenience were discussed with the Denmark ambassador.

In the meeting with Mr. Patrick Murphy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South-East Asia, said US is well convinced that Myanmar is facing and dealing with many challenges, asking about the matters for all organisations desirous of helping to cooperate in sending humanitarian aid to displaced people. He stressed the need for the long-term project needs broader help from international organisation. “Those who fled to Bangladesh and displaced people in the country may have many needs. We want to know which projects are to be prioritised, apart from present humanitarian aid programmes. We would like the government to help returners to come to be relocated at their former places,” he added.

The Union Minister discussed in detail situations on the formation of the Central Committee for Implementation of Peace, Stability and Development of Rakhine State, and performances of four working committees, and other matters.

In addition, the Union Minister said that subsidies are being given out to displaced people, based on the statistics collected by the State Cabinet. Those who fled to Bangladesh are to be systematically scrutinised if they want to come back. Myanmar is having a good relationship with neighboring countries, including Bangladesh.

Myanmar News Agency

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar