YANGON, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The Myanmar government has held an emergency meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, focusing on national security, Rakhine issue and international relations.
According to a release issued by the President's Office on Friday, the meeting had discussions on the situation on signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the formation of an independent investigation commission as well as matters relating to Rakhine state and border security, among others.
Prior to the meeting, the country's Labour, Immigration and Population Ministry, the UNDP and the UNHCR signed a MoU on repatriation of displaced persons from Rakhine state on Wednesday.
Under the agreement, the UNHCR will join hands with the Myanmar government in the implementation of voluntary repatriation and conducting assessments at their potential pilot project sites, and will also work with the UNDP in preparation for recovery and resilience-based development in potential areas.
Also, the UNDP will cooperate with the government in undertaking the planning process for resilience-based recovery and development that will benefit all communities and promote social cohesion as well as support access to livelihoods.
Meanwhile, Myanmar has recently received first batch of 62 returnees through Nga Khu Ya reception camp in Rakhine state, who had fled to Bangladesh due to the Rakhine conflict, and they were being transferred to the Hla Pho Khaung transit camp in Maungtaw after proper verification.
The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army extremist terrorists launched attacks on police outposts in Rakhine State on Aug. 25 last year, displacing a vast number of residents to border areas with Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, the Myanmar government is also considering closure of the remaining internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in the country.
There are more than 140 IDP camps in Myanmar, with a total population of more than 160,000 in 15 towns in four states of the country.
Three IDP camps in the western Rakhine state have been closed and three others are to be closed.
The camps in three other states will be shut down as efforts are being made to ensure the IDP's access to education and healthcare, free movement under law and and their participation in the nation's economic development.
An advisory commission, led by former UN chief Kofi Annan, recommended in its report closure of the IDP camps, and practical measures necessary to achieve development for all communities in Rakhine state.
