Union Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr. Win Myat Aye said that his ministry had started systematic closure of unnecessary IDP camps in the country.

He added that closure of all of these IDP camps would not be possible in the remaining tenure of this government so that they would close some IDP camps permanently where possible.

“The strategy for entire country has been drafted. We will keep some IDP camps where they are still needed such as Kachin and Shan States. And we will close some camps which are no longer needed and necessary. And then we will make fair resettlement for these IDPs who really need our help. International organizations are also included in this work,” He said.

Currently the ministry does not have the exact list of IDP camps in the country and they could not tell the exact figure of the number of total IDPs as these camps were built in emergencies when needed.

Because of recent escalation of fighting, the number of IDP camps has increased in northern Shan State and Rakhine State and also IDP camps in Kachin State remain.