YANGON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar has launched a project of re-construction of destroyed houses in conflict-torn areas in northern Rakhine state under a mechanism of the Union Enterprises for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development (UEHRD), Myanmar News Agency reported Tuesday.
The project, which started on Monday for Mro ethnic people at the village of Kondaing, came three days after State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi announced the mechanism, chaired by herself, involving the private sector, local non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations, friendly countries and United Nations agencies.
The mechanism is aimed at allowing the government and all local and international organizations to work in all sectors and all strata of society.
Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr. Win Myat Aye laid a cornerstone to mark the launching of the house reconstruction.
The minister's delegation also visited some other villages in Maungtaw township including Islamic village of Pantawpyin and delivered humanitarian aid to the villagers.
Aung San Suu Kyi, in a speech to the nation on last Thursday, prioritized three main tasks to be done in Rakhine, repatriation of refugees who have crossed over to Bangladesh and providing humanitarian assistance effectively; resettlement and rehabilitation; and bringing development to the region and establishing lasting peace.
For the development of Rakhine state, she called for setting up the UEHRD in Rakhine.
The government also pledged readiness to implement a national verification and repatriation process to be done in accordance with the agreed criteria set out in the joint statement between foreign ministries of Myanmar and Bangladesh in 1992.
The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army extremist terrorists launched fresh attacks on police outposts in Rakhine on Aug. 25, displacing residents from a number of areas in Maungtaw district.
