Temporary camps for IDPs in Arakan State would be closed, said Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye on 2 December during an event explaining about resettlement programs and the National Strategy for the Closure of IDP camps, held in Sittwe’s U Ottama Hall.

“The prolonged existence of refugee camps hinder socioeconomic development and creates even greater setbacks for refugees,” the union minister said.

The time of the camp’s shutdown is not known yet.

“I did not mean to close the camps all at once. We can make a plan only when we have a strategy.  We can implement the plan when we have goal,” he said.

The fighting between the Tatmadaw and AA in Arakan State has forced over 90,000 people to take shelter in camps, Rakhine Ethnic Congress (REC) said.

 “We need to arrange places for IDPs. We have to build camps for people’s security and development,” the union minister added.

The government has been building seven camps in Ponnagyun, Ratheduang, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Buthidaung and Kyauktaw Townships in Arakan State, but refugees could not live in these camps yet.