Residents of Yay Kauk and Payit, two villages in Arakan State’s Thandwe Township that have been relocated because they were previously in the Thahtay Chaung hydropower project area, have not yet received full compensation.

The Thahtay Chaung hydropower project was launched in 2008, and Yay Kauk and Payit villages were relocated in March 2021. The new site for the two villages, which have a total of 461 households, is located on a mountain along the Thandwe-Taungup road, about 25 miles from the town of Thandwe.

U Aung Khin Thein, in-charge of Yay Kauk village-tract, told DMG that more than 100 people are waiting for payment in connection with land involved in the project area.

“More than 100 people from Yay Kauk village are yet to be compensated. Officials have yet to withdraw money from the bank. Residents of Payit village have received compensation,” the local official added.

A total of 308 houses in Yay Kauk village and 153 houses in Payit village were relocated last year.

U Aung Gyi, a 100-household head in Yay Kauk village, said that some people have not been able to build houses and some are facing livelihood hardships as they have yet to receive compensation.

“There are people who are having difficulty because they cannot pay for the construction of houses. Some people are struggling to make ends meet as there is no job opportunity for them. There are houses that were built on credit and there are still unfinished houses,” he explained.

U Kyaw Aye, assistant director of the Thahtay Chaung hydropower project, said the relocated villagers were being compensated on a weekly basis and that delays were due to difficulties in withdrawing money from banks.

“There are more than 100 houses that have yet to be paid by 30%,” he acknowledged.

Residents of Yay Kauk and Payit are living comfortably at their new village locations, but need to receive compensation as soon as possible, said U Aung Gyi, a 10-household head in Yay Kauk village.

During the 2021 monsoon season, landslides and road damage were reported at the new location of Yay Kauk and Payit villages due to heavy rains.

The hydropower project that forced the relocation of Yay Kauk and Payit villages was begun in 2008 and is expected to be completed in the fiscal year 2025-26.