Ein Soe Hpyu

Narinjara |May 11 2020

Residents in thegovernment-built Myaung Nar IDP camp, Buthitaung are anxious that drinkingwater contaminated by cattle and buffalos, and non-fly proof toilets will leadto outbreaks of diarrhoea, the camp leader has told Narinjara.

The camp ismade up of 86 ethnic Khami households, or 416 people, and run by U Way TharKhaing. He explained that the only available drinking water source is a dirtypond.  That and the non-fly proof toilets mean that people are afraidof outbreaks of diarrhoea.

“People haveto go to Ah Ley Chaung Muslim village to fetch water. Cows and buffalo drinkfrom that pond, the water is muddy and yellowish in colour and now the water isgetting dirtier and dirtier as it dries up.  As for the toilets, thepipes are straight and positioned directly over the cesspits which means thatthe flies can come up from beneath.  Clouds of flies and bad odoursstick out the whole camp”, he said.

U Way TharKine explained that towards the end of March around thirty people came downwith diarrhoea, pneumonia and coughs and colds.  People are afraidthat outbreaks may worsen.

ButhitaungPyithu Hluttaw Member of Parliament U Aung Thaung Shwe explained that he wasaware of the matter and that the government held fully responsibility.  

“I have heardabout this.  This place was built by the government, so thegovernment is responsible.  They must be held to account and sortthis out” he said.

ButhitaungTownship Administrator U Shwe Hla Aung explained the situation. “They have togo to the Muslim village to fetch water.  It is difficult to build apond.  The toilets are smelly because there isn’t enough water. Weare trying to make it better” he said.

Myaung Nar IDPcamp is about 4 miles from Buthitaung Town, and is made up of 86 shelters with24 toilets.

The Khamiresidents of the camp come from a number of different villages in the area,including Kyauk Sar Taing, Ah Ley Chaung Kyaung, Let Pan Khaing and Gan GawMyaing villages.