Witnessing repatriation readiness

February 9, 2018

Diplomats, UN officials urged to share true situation details

Diplomats and UN agencies toured Rakhine State yesterday to observe the readiness for repatriation of returnees from Bangladesh. The delegation headed by U Kyaw Tin, Union Minister for International Cooperation, visited two repatriation camps and one transit camp in Maungtaw, Rakhine State.

The trip’s primary aim is disseminating accurate information to international communities on the government’s efforts for repatriation. At Sittway Airport, Union Minister U Kyaw Tin briefed the delegation on the repatriation process and measures taken by the Union Government and the Rakhine State Government under the bilateral agreement with Bangladesh.

U Nyi Pu, Chief Minister of Rakhine State, also requested the diplomats and UN officials to cooperate with the government in sharing the true situation in Rakhine with international communities. He also urged the delegation to assist the Rakhine State government in its repatriation efforts and resettlement for returnees from Bangladesh and development in Rakhine State.

Following the briefing, they flew to Taung Pyo Letwe camp, where displaced people who will return by road will be accepted.

At the camp, U Ye Htut, Maungtaw District Deputy Commissioner, briefed on readiness for providing accommodation, food and security and health care for the returnees.

Ministries concerned also opened offices at the camp to carry out scrutinisation.

The delegation toured Taung Pyo Letwe camp before they flew to Nga Khu Ya camp by helicopter.

Nga Khu Ya camp will be used for accepting those who return by waterway.

At the camp, 12 ministries opened their branch offices with more than 80 staff to carry out scrutinisation of returnees.

The delegation observed the steps for the scrutinisation process and the issuing of National Verification cards to the returnees.

In the evening, the delegation visited the Muslim community in Pantawpyin Village and viewed completion of houses by the Yangon Region Government.

In the visit to Pantawpyin Village, diplomats and UN officials asked the villagers about their security, education, health, economic and social situation.

The delegation includes Dato Paduka Haji Abdu’r Rahmani bin Dato Paduka Besir, Patron of the Diplomatic Corps in Myanmar, Mr, Bob Robert Rae, Former Ontario Premier of Canada, ambassadors and diplomats from Canada, Brunei, the Czech Republic, the EU, Turkey, Indonesia, Australia, France, Japan, Nepal, the Philippines, Timor Leste, Russia, US, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the Republic of Korea and representatives from UNHCR, World Bank, FAO and WFP.—Myanmar News Agency

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar