CARE to build bridge in Buthidaung

Written by Webmaster
Kaladan Press Org
January 21, 2008

Buthidaung, Arakan State: CARE Australia, a major international organization that works mainly on health and education in northern Arakan, has offered to rebuild the bridge over the Lawet Dark River near Buthidaung, say residents of the town.

On January 5, three Burmese CARE staff met in a school field near the river with village elders, Village Peace and Development Council officials, and other local authorities, according to a source who attended the meeting, to discuss rebuilding the bridge which connects Taung Bazar with Buthidaung town.

The 110-feet-long bridge was originally built by Bridge Asia Japan, an NGO, and was ruined during the rainy season by flood.

A CARE staffer blamed local residents for the deterioration of the bridge. “You [villagers] have not taken heed, so the bridge was destroyed. Now, we need the contribution of villagers to rebuild it.”

CARE said that it would provide all the materials for construction of bridge except for stones and sand, which it requested that villagers provide. Construction of bridge will be started soon.

Villagers happily agreed to supply stone and sand, said a VPDC Chairman who participated in the meeting.

The bridge is important as the villagers of Buthidaung northern side have to cross the river to go to Buthidaung town. It is also support to go to Taung Bazar, 10 miles away on a dirt road which automobiles can not travel in the rainy season.

Normally, CARE Australia works for health and education in northern Arakan and has established an office in Maungdaw Town.