In an effort to resettle and reintegrate internally displaced communities, the Karen National Union’s local officials are using funding from Japan’s Nippon Foundation to build low-cost housing for displaced people forced from their homes during armed conflict.
With funding from the Nippon Foundation, a Japanese non-government organisation, 300 low-cost houses are being built in Kyain Seikgyi and Payar Thonzu Townships at Lay Pa Htaw, Myaing Thayar and Mae Ka Tha areas.
The 300 houses are being built by seven local construction companies and the work has started.
The Nippon Foundation has given 6.5 million kyats for each house. There are 200 houses being built in Lay Pa and 50 houses at each site in Mae Katha and Myaingthayar. It is planned that houses are being built of corrugated zinc roof, timber and smart board.
Padoh Mahn Kenndy, the Dooplaya District secretary told Karen News that the housing project is in its second stage.
Speaking to Karen News Mahn Kenndy said.
“150 low-cost houses have already been built in Mae Ka Tha and Myaing Thayar with the help of Nippon Foundation. Now as a second round, 300 more houses will be built. All houses are intended for the relocation of internally displaced people.”
Padoh Mahn Kenndy said that addition to the news houses, the project will also include a clinic and two dormitory building for health workers who will work at the clinic at Lay Pa Htaw area.
As part of an agreement made between the Nippon Foundation and the Karen armed groups at a meeting held March 2, 2016, support for the resettlement projects are to start in the area of Karen armed groups.
Under the agreement, there will be a total of 1,250 houses, seven schools, three clinics and one health center built in the KNU’s districts of Doo Tha Htu, Dooplaya, Megui/Tavoy and Pa-an, some in the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army’s area and Karen Peace Council’s area.
The project will also include small infrastructure such as bridge and water-well estimated at the total cost of 1.08 billion Japanese Yen, sources from Nippon Foundation said.
The Japanese government backed Nippon Foundation started been involved in providing humanitarian aid in sectors such as education, healthcare and food rations in ethnic armed groups controlled area after a ceasefire agreement was reached in 2012.
