Homeless residents in Pyinoolwin need urgent assistance

01 February 2016
Homeless residents in Pyinoolwin need urgent assistance
Photo: Aung Ko Oo/Mizzima

Over a hundred and twenty homeless people currently staying at a makeshift camp in Pyinoolwin are in urgent need of medicine and clothes, a volunteer, Saung Thazin, told Mizzima.
The people were made homeless after Garrison Engineer 958 demolished their houses in Ward No. 14, Nyaung Ni village, Pyinoolwin, on the evening of 25 January.Theyhave been forced to stay at the makeshift camp at Paw Maung’s compound in Nyaung Ni village since 28 January.
Ah Loo who is staying at the camp said, “We want to live in our homes. We do not like them bullying us. We have lived in this place since our forefathers, for over 100 years.”
Local residents said that there are over 120 homeless people at the camp including 23 children who are attending schools from KG to Grade 10. They also said that the students are finding it difficult to continue their studies.
Nyaung Ni village administrator Win Swe Hlaing said, “I requested the army Major not to [demolish the houses]. I explained to him these people have lived here for many years since this village was built, almost a 100 years. I told him I knew all about them. I protected my villagers as much as I could. If they have to demolish these houses, these people should be given new houses or replacement plots.”
Local residents said that the people living in the camp submitted an appeal letter to the President and various government departments on 29 January to take action against those who forcibly demolished their homes and evicted them.