The Nippon Foundation has withdrawn plans to build 100 low-cost housing units for refugees that will be resettled to Tanintharyi Region from Thai camps after the local government allegedly denied permission.
There are about 120,00 refugees living in 9 camps in Thailand near the border with Burma—most are ethnic Karen who fled fighting between the Burma Army and armed groups over the last 2 decades.
Three-hundred of the four-hundred housing units that the foundation originally planned to build for returning refugees are currently being built. It’s estimated that completion of these dwellings are at thirty percent.
The remaining 100 housing units aren’t being allowed, said KNU Chairman Pado Saw Sar Pi Tu for Mergui-Tavoy District.
“After discussing with the regional government, they only allowed 300 housing units. They refused to give permission to build the remaining 100 units citing rule of law and regional security as the reason. So, the donor, Nippon Foundation, cancelled the 100 housing units.”
Although the Nippon Foundation had planned to build the remaining 100 housing units on the land between Maw Thar Kwar and Kyauk Twin villages under K’Ser Doh Township, the KNU requested to the government that the housing units be built in Taung Ni Village since there are orchards and plantations on the original designated area.
The other housing is being built in Tee Mo Pwa and Ler Mu Lah Townships.
When contacted by KIC News yesterday, Sa Ayeyar Win, member of the joint ceasefire monitoring committee for Tanintharyi Region denied that the government stopped the Japanese foundation from building 100 homes in K’Ser Doh Township.
“It’s not true that [the government] doesn’t allow it. The Taung Ni Village IDP issue is still being submitted to the Union government so the 100 housing units will be built and distributed in the remaining three IDP villages.”
The Nippon Foundation reached an agreement with the government and KNU in March to carry out an extensive rehabilitation program in four districts controlled by the Karen armed group. The foundation planned to build 1,250 homes, 7 schools, 3 clinics, a healthcare centre, a bridge, and 5 wells—a total cost estimated at 1.08 billion Japanese Yen.
Reporting by S’Phan Shaung for KIC News
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI staff
