Myanmar: ‘People of Solo still need your help’

80% of temporary thatch houses being built, 8 days after fire incident

Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 10

Eight days after a fire razed down the village of Solo/Chiu under Lahe Township in the Naga Self Administered Zone (NSAZ) Myanmar on February 2, the neighboring villages and different organisations from both east and west of ‘Naga Land without borders’ have reached out to aid the affected families.

60 houses and a Morung were razed down by the fire, where 73 families including men, women and children were rendered homeless and vulnerable. The Khiamniungan Naga village locally known as Solo village has a household of around 200. 

There are 106 recognized villages in Lahe Township.

The fire is said to have broken out from a solar plate that was placed on top of the thatch roof house. Naga Students’ Organisation (NSO) Myanmar is reported to have visited the affected areas on February 5 and assessed the situation. 

In an update from the villagers this evening, 80% of small temporary thatch houses have been built, with the help of neighboring villages in cutting and carrying woods, bamboos and bringing in ropes from their own villages. It is expected to be completed in the next two to three days.

Speaking to The Morung Express, NSO Myanmar President, Naogang Ngansa expressed gratitude to the many associations including Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland, Global Naga Forum, Khiamniungan Students’ Union, Mokokchung Town Baptist Church, Myanmar and Manipur civil societies and student bodies among others for providing relief to the affected families.

“The people of Solo still need your help,” he said. As further support is coming in from different organisations, Ngansa said that the immediate aid the victims need were “more blankets, kitchen utensils (pots of different sizes, knives, mugs, buckets, plates etc), farming tools, candles, bed sheets” and other basic amenities one could think of.

Everything has been burnt in the house so they also need tools for farming, such as spades and dao (machete) etc. Mica sheets are basic needs for the farmers which are used for many purposes in the fields and at homes as well, he added.

Students have been the most affected with all their study materials being burnt while the exams are right around the corner in Myanmar. “There are no candles or lights for that matter, and the solar plates have all been destroyed by the fire,” said Ngansa. He added that some are studying by the fireplace.

The villagers need ‘cash in hand’ for immediate relief in the process of rebuilding their homes and their lives altogether. By winter, he said that the woods cut prematurely and the palm leaves used in building the house will be eaten away by woodworms and insects. “So, in five to six months time, they have to find ways to build their homes again.” 

Maintaining that recovery will take a long time, the NSO has further requested every concerned civil societies, churches and student bodies to take up the cause and help in mobilizing funds for the distressed families. “Our thanks and regards to all who have helped out in every way possible. We are hoping that more help continues to reach out to our brothers and sisters here in Solo.” Until now, the Lahe Township administration has delivered 40 bags of rice to the affected village.