Indian relief items handed over to conflict-ridden Arakan

Narinjara News, 22 January 2020

Indian Union government has handed over a huge volume of relief items worth US$ 235456 to the trouble-torn Rakhine(Arakan) province in western Myanmar supporting the people taking shelter at various camps of internally displaced persons.

The items were received by Rakhine province government chief U Nyi Pu on Tuesday from Indian ambassador to Myanmar Saurabh Kumar at a function held in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan.

Offered items comprise 20,000 rice-bags with cooking oil, rice vermicelli (stamen lotus), toor dal, chana dal, pepper, turmeric, salt etc along with some pieces of tarpaulin.

“We believe that the relief items would be useful for the people taking shelter in various camps of Arakan. The donations came from the uncounted Indian citizens and they would be happy as the items reach the camps,” commented Saurabh Kumar.

The senior diplomat also added that New Delhi took the initiative following the request from Rakhine State Parliament’s speaker.

Myanmar Union social welfare, relief and resettlement minister Dr Win Myat Aye was present on the occasion as a special guest.

Rakhine chief minister U Nyi Pu assured that the relief items would be sent to the IDP camps of his State accordingly.

Earlier New Delhi provided US$ 25 million as the humanitarian aid for Rakhine to construct  250 houses in Shwezar, Nantha Taung and Kyein Chaung  (Taung) village under Maungdaw township.

Ambassador Saurabh Kumar also informed the audience that India was supporting the Myanmar in various sectors like education, health and agriculture. Moreover some international organizations are being engaged in Rakhine for helping its people in vocational education and skill developments.