According to local sources, former Air Force Major Nyi Nyi, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Red Cross in Taunggyi, Southern Shan State, has been accused of misappropriating both domestic and international donations intended for war refugees. Nyi Nyi, a graduate of Defense Services Academy batch 41, was previously stationed at the Hmawbi Air Force Base in Yangon Region before being dismissed and subsequently relocating to Taunggyi. Since assuming the position of Red Cross Chairman in Taunggyi, he has reportedly prevented other Red Cross organizations, social welfare groups, and NGOs from other regions and states from entering Southern Shan State.
Sources indicate that Nyi Nyi has been mishandling and selling aid materials meant for displaced persons, particularly rice supplies provided by the World Food Programme (WFP) for refugees from Pekon, Moebye, and Saung Pyaung areas. After taking office as Taunggyi Red Cross Chairman in late 2021, he has allegedly been selling international aid materials, donated funds, and Red Cross property in the market for personal gain. He has also been involved in frequent disputes with Red Cross members from other regions and states, including an alleged assault on two Red Cross members from Lashio on August 21, 2023.
The former military officer has been accused of significantly damaging the reputation of the Taunggyi-based Southern Shan State Red Cross, which previously maintained a positive image. During the flooding disaster in Southern Shan State last year, he allegedly sold donated materials in the market and used the proceeds to purchase land plots in Phalaylane area. This misconduct has led to public warnings against making donations to the Southern Shan State Red Cross during this year’s Sagaing earthquake relief efforts. Additionally, he has been accused of reducing the quantity of rice in aid packages from 6 pyis to 5 pyis per bag, effectively stealing from the allocated supplies for displaced persons.
