The military council has issued an order requiring earthquake victims currently sheltering in schools, football fields, and monastery halls in Mandalay to evacuate by the end of May. Displaced persons in Chan Aye Thar San and Aung Myay Thar San townships must either relocate to suitable locations on their own or move to designated areas specified by the military council if they cannot arrange their own accommodation.
According to earthquake victims, this forced evacuation is due to schools reopening in June, including monastic education centers. Additionally, the military council plans to close refugee camps as football fields will be used for rainy season sporting events. However, earthquake victims have reported receiving no effective assistance from the military council. They state that besides basic food, drinking water, and medical care visits, they have received no substantial aid for recovery and rehabilitation.
Victims report that they cannot even afford to demolish their collapsed houses and have been waiting over 20 days for municipal authorities to respond to their applications for house demolition assistance. Many are currently searching for affordable rental housing, and if unsuccessful, plan to temporarily relocate to villages where they have relatives and friends. The situation highlights the lack of comprehensive support for those affected by the earthquake, despite their urgent needs for housing and financial assistance.
While military council leader Min Aung Hlaing stated at a council meeting on May 20, over a month after the March 28 earthquake, that support would be provided according to the extent of damages and that foreign aid would be distributed to those in need, earthquake victims continue to face significant hardships with little to no effective assistance. The military council’s promises of coordinating both domestic and international aid distribution have not materialized into meaningful support for the affected population, who continue to struggle with displacement and lack of resources for rebuilding their lives.
