The 270th artillery battalion is forcing the inhabitants of Kyunt Thaya (Arakan state) to reconstruct helicopter pads, military barracks and supply lines affected by the cyclone, without payment. They have been living in huts for nearly a month, while humanitarian aid organizations stil scarce.

Mray Bon (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Burmese army officers are forcing the victims of Cyclone Giri, which hit the village Kyunt Thaya (Arakan state), last October 22, to work without pay to rebuild damaged infrastructure.

The 270TH artillery battalion based on the island Kyunt Thaya, formed 26 small groups of ten people each, and forced them to work in different sites. More people are employed in the reconstruction of helicopter pads, supply lines for the army, and army barracks. One resident said: "We were forced by the army to carry stones and earth from a distant place for the restructuring of the tanks," and adds "We had to rebuild three helicopter areas two weeks ago, before the arrival of Prime Minister Thein Sein. We worked there for ten days, from dawn to dusk without being paid. "

Many villagers have not been able to repair their homes and fishing boats damaged by the cyclone, because engaged in the reconstruction of other sites. One of them said: "We now live in huts made of palm leaves because we have no money or materials to repair our houses. UNICEF has sent large plastic sheets of only five square meters. The government gave us rice only twice after the cyclone, but in small quantities not sufficient to maintain daily needs”.

The village of Kyunt Thaya is among the areas hardest hit by the cyclone in the state of Arakan. However, residents have not received aid from international NGOs, local groups or social assistance. Humanitarian organizations can not reach the area because the 270th Battalion controls the area and prevents access. In the village, at least 400 out of 500 homes were destroyed by the cyclone Giri.

• Burma
• Myanmar
• ISLAND
• FORCED
• LABOUR
• CYCLONE
• GIRI