Twelve Hnee Padaw Households Face an Uncertain Future as Fire Destroys Their Homes

January 13, 2015

Nearly twelve houses burnt to the ground as a fire ripped through Hnee Padaw Village, Mudon Township around 7pm on January 3rd, resulting in 500-600 million kyats worth of damage and displacement of the families. The fire was ignited when embers fell onto a bed in one of the houses, subsequently spreading through the house and on to surrounding houses.

Twelve families lost all of their property in the fire and now face severe hardship. Victims include individuals over 50 years-old, as well as children who attend grades 10, 9, 7, and 4 at the local school.

The children are still able to attend school, but a number of children report that despair over losing their homes has left them too grief-stricken to continue attending classes. The residents over 50 years-old express concerns over their future as they do not feel strong enough to work.

Before the fire, Aung Lin Oo attended grade 10 with the private education service in Mudon Township, but now reports feeling too depressed to return. Aung Lin Oo expressed that he saw his parents’ difficulties resulting from the fire and does not want to attend school anymore. The owner of a private education service has approached Aung Lin Oo’s parents with an offer to pay for their son’s schooling; the parents stated that they will try to get Aung Lin Oo to attend school, said village administrator Nai Naing.

Hnee Padaw Village residents have joined together to build temporary huts and provide food, clothes, and some money for the victims.

Nai Naing added that, “if people from other villages donate, our villagers can also help them. Currently, we are building a hut for them. I also want to ask help from others for them.”

The Shin Saw Pu Association, a Mudon-Township Young Generation Group, provided the families with rice, funds, food, clothes, and a rice cooker. A Mon women’s organization and the Women’s Empowerment Project also provided donations to the families.

“We collected money from the other office and we went to Hnee Padaw Village on January 6th to donate food and clothes. We feel really sorry for them. It is difficult for them to get back their property in this situation. We worry as to how they will rehabilitate their lives,” said a staff member from the Women’s Empowerment Project.

A fire destroyed one house in Nee Padaw Village last year. With this recent destruction, the village has experienced 7 fires in recent years, with the greatest destruction resulting from fire spreading to 50 houses in the village.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News