Hlaingthayar Squatters face accommodation difficulties

Hlaingthayar Squatters face accommodation difficulties
Published 26 October 2021

YANGON-----As huts of squatters situated under the No.2 Bayintnaung Bridge, Hlaingthayar Township (east), Yangon Region, have been cleared yesterday, those squatters are now facing accommodation difficulties, according to the squatters.

According to the squatters who lives in the area, the government has told them via a posted announcement to clear the area by October 23rd under the section 133 in order to “Protest the public health and security.”

“There was notice on the hut warning against a removal of the huts as October 23rd deadline. So, we are going to demolish our hut. Some who can afford to rent a house had transferred. As for me, I can’t transfer yet because I can’t afford to live in rented house,” said one of the squatters living under the No.2 Bayintnaung Bridge.

There are over 300 squatter huts comprising thousands of households living under No.2 Bayintnaung Bridge. Some squatters lived in the area over 8 years.

“I stayed at the squatter area over 8 years because I can’t pay a rental fees. At the time, there have been complicate matters such as COVID-19 outbreak as well as the government ordered us to remove the squatter huts. So, we don’t know what we do,” said one of the female squatters.

 “We, all squatters, are workers on daily wages. During COVID-19 outbreak, there have been job shortages. Some squatters have to pick up the plastic bottles and baskets. Some are hard labours as well as some are waiters. Most are poor persons,” said a dweller living near the squatter area.

“The first notice said that squatter huts must be removed in the open season. We think that the open season is March and April when we will save a little money. Later, the second notice arrived after five days. A second notice said that the squatters must be transferred on October 22nd. So, we have troubles. We have no saving money in our hand. They ordered us to transfer urgently. Some had transferred because they were afraid of authorities. We have no place to transfer. That’s why we continue to stay here. Before demolishing, volunteer groups donated rice and meal to us. We are asking the volunteers to share the rice and meals. Some huts can’t afford to cook the rice. This year, the squatter huts face the flooding. We lived at the squatter area over six years. Some squatters are fishermen and some had earned a living as picking of the plastic bottles and baskets,” said a female squatter.

Most of the squatters residing in this area work in occupations that require hard labor such as trash pickers, fishermen, and trishaw drivers. The squatters face numerous difficulties finding food and shelter for their families.