Following the March 28 earthquake that caused extensive damage in Naypyidaw, the military council has ordered Non-CDM staff affected by the earthquake to mandatorily return to work and prohibited them from relocating outside the capital. Seven days after the earthquake, the council instructed staff to report back to work and sign attendance registers starting April 7. However, staff members and their families currently remain homeless, living on streets and in makeshift tents. The situation has become increasingly dire as government workers struggle with basic necessities while being forced to maintain their duties.
The earthquake caused severe damage to Myanmar Railways staff housing in Naypyidaw, with 25 junior staff quarters and 17 senior staff quarters being rendered uninhabitable due to collapse and structural damage. While the military council has provided temporary shelter spaces at Naypyidaw Railway Station and Road Transport compound in Pyinmana Township, they have failed to provide any meaningful assistance. Staff members report critical shortages of drinking water, food supplies, and proper shelter materials. The situation is particularly challenging as workers face pressure to return to work while lacking basic living necessities.
The military council’s response to earthquake damage has prioritized repairs to military headquarters, presidential residence, Ministry of Defense, and infrastructure while neglecting staff housing repairs. Bodies remain trapped under collapsed buildings without proper recovery efforts, leading to decomposition. When staff requested assistance from fire services to retrieve bodies, they were only told to wait their turn. The council’s approach has demonstrated a clear prioritization of military and administrative facilities over the welfare of civil servants, even as they demand their return to work under these difficult circumstances.
