Camps are ready for repatriation

January 29, 2018

According to the bilateral agreement made by Myanmar and the Bangladesh governments, the relocation and resettlement programmes will be resumed in Taung Pyo Letwe, Nga Khu Ya and Hla Pho Khaung camps.

The coordination meeting and preparation works are being made by the authorities to accept the displaced people who fled to other places following the terrorist attacks in Rakhine State.

Following are excerpts from replies given by governmental service personnel who are going to perform their duties in this area.

Police Lt-Col Saw Zayar Lin

Security arrangements are being made for the returnees who will come back to the temporary camps in the region. There are two parts to the security arrangements: personal security and location security. We are also making effective plans for the officials concerned who will perform their duties in their respective places and for returnees who are in need of protection.

U Hla Myat Oo, Ministry of Foreign Fffairs

I was assigned to perform my duties as a liaison officer at the Taung Pyo Letwe camp, together with two other officials. Our main duty is to coordinate liaison issues with the Myanmar and Bangladesh governments, according to diplomatic protocol. There are three office staff members from our department at the Nga Khu Ya camp. As for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I will perform my duties as a liaison officer through the diplomatic protocol.

U Ye Htoo, Deputy District

Commissioner

For the repatriation process, there are many sub-committees under the supervisory board. Our duty is to combine the administration affairs that are in need of an ongoing process. We will arrange accommodation, transport and food for the returnees by the time they arrive at the camps.

Wai Wai San, police sub-inspector

My duty is to check the women and their belongings when they arrive at the camps.

U Aung Win Oo, Deputy Director Immigration Department, Taung Pyo Letwe

Our inspection team includes the Myanmar Police Force, CID and immigration departments. After scrutinising their physiological characteristics using the biometric system, the registration process and the national verification process will follow.

U Than Win, senior nurse, Taung Pyo Letwe camp

We will have to provide healthcare services when the returnees fall ill at the Taung Pyo Letwe camp. If necessary, we will send them to the hospital.

U Thaung Shwe, Director of Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement

Our department will render help to the returnees, and plans are being made to distribute longyis, blankets, t-shirts and soaps to men and women, according to their age groups. We will attend to the needs of the respective departments. We are ready to provide household utensils and temporary tents to the returnees. We will try our best to fulfil their requirements and provide humanitarian assistance.

U Khaing Min Naing, Deputy-Superintendent of the Fire Services Department, Maung Taw Township

Being an in-charge person at the Taung Pyo Letwe camp, our duty is to provide safety from fire hazards. We will use a fire engine that can hold 1,600 gallons of water with four fire-fighters. We will try our best to ensure there is no breakout of fire in the camp.

U Win Khaing, Director of Immigration and Population Department, Nga Khu Ya camp

When the returnees arrive, we will have to scrutinise and check the displaced persons on the list. According to the agreement being made between the Myanmar and Bangladesh governments, we will have to scrutinise and check the list of displaced persons. Then, we will collect and record their bio data using biometrics. After that, we will issue national verification cards (NVCs) immediately, according to the standard procedures. After providing the NVC, they will have to be scrutinised for eligibility. We will act according to the rules and regulations prescribed by the department.

U Win Zaw Htay, Deputy Director of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Department

We can divide the returnees into two categories: men and women, who are above 12 years. We have already made household arrangements for 1,000 men and 1,000 women. Arrangements have been made to provide electricity, office works and other necessary assistance. We are determined to perform our tasks dutifully.

U Thet Naing, an in-charge-engineer at Hla Phoe Khaung camp

As for the resettlement process, we are operating the CITS programme and planning to build 40 houses at the end of this month and some 100 houses by the middle of February. There are altogether 625 houses for 30,000 people. We are digging artesian wells to secure the water supply and connecting electrical wires to provide electricity with the help of EPC. Moreover, we are paving the way for a smooth transport system.—Aung Ye Thwin, Ko Min

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar