Tuesday 22 January 2008

UNHCR supports road construction in Buthidaung

Written by Webmaster
Kaladan Press Org

January 21, 2008

Buthidaung, Arakan State: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is helping to construct the road linking Taung Bazar to Yaungma Kyaungdaung village of Buthidaung Township.

Construction began on January 15 and workers are being paid in rice, said sources.

The 1.5-mile-long road is destroyed every year by floods and the villagers renovated it before. But this time UNHCR is financing the construction of a stronger road that can withstand the rains.

About 100 workers are working daily in road construction and they are being paid each day with 10 to 12 kg of rice by UNHCR. At present, one kg of rice is being sold at kyat 350 in Taung Bazar. Therefore, one worker will get kyat 3,500 to 4,200 as daily wage.

A villager said, “Some villagers get jobs while they are sitting in inactive without jobs. There is no opportunity for workers to find works as there is no freedom in movement. Now, some workers get chance to support their family.”

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