The Nippon Foundation has withdrawn plans to build 100 low-cost housing units for refugees that will be resettled to Tanintharyi Region from Thai camps after the local government allegedly denied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, reports Burma News International.
There are about 120,00 refugees living in nine camps in Thailand near the border with Myanmar—most are ethnic Karen who fled fighting between the Myanmar Army and armed groups over the last two decades.
Three-hundred of the four-hundred housing units that the foundation originally planned to build for returning refugees are currently being built. It is estimated that 30 percent of these dwellings have already been built.
The remaining 100 housing units aren’t being allowed, said KNU Chairman Pado Saw Sar Pi Tu for Mergui-Tavoy District, according to a report on August 11.
“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.”