208 disaster shelters completed in regions, states of Myanmar
“Of the total of 241 natural disaster shelters for the relevant regions and states of the country, 33 of them are now under construction. The natural disaster shelters will be built in three different designs as a safe shelter for the people during the natural disasters,” said an official of the Department of Disaster Management (DODM).
“ As regards the shelter construction project, the DODM official said, “In our country, we are building shelters under different designs for different purposes, because they are not meant only for cyclones, but also for other disasters including floods, landslides and fires. We find it difficult to hire works at this time because of COVID-19. In some places, the problem is how to transport construction materials. As we are implementing this disaster shelter project amidst the many hardships, we have extended its period till the end of this year. The shelters will become safe havens for the locals during the disasters. We are building them under three different designs. They can be used as schools in normal times. So, we are building them for many other uses. They are strong and safe, so they will be much useful as disaster shelters. Of the scheduled 241 shelters, some of them are still under construction. Even if we have completed all the 241 shelters, the country will still need more. But, we will gradually fulfill that requirement.”
The project, which began in 2016, is being implemented under the National Natural Disaster Management Funds till now. Under the project, 241 shelters will be built. Now, 208 shelters have been completed, and 33 are under construction.
Of the shelters still under construction 16 are in Ayeyawady Region, nine in Rakhine State, one in Bago, one in Magway, one in Kayin State, one in Chin State, two in Sagaing Region, two in Thaninthayi Region, according to the Department of Disaster Management.