MPs to Donate Daily Stipend to Fire Victims

By The Irrawaddy 8 February 2016

RANGOON — Union Parliament Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than forwarded an urgent proposal to lawmakers on Monday requesting that all MPs make a monetary donation to those affected by recent fires in Shan State’s Namhsan and Labutta in Irrawaddy Division.

Lawmakers unanimously agreed to the proposal, which will see each MP donate their daily stipend of 20,000 kyat, half of which will go toward food supplies, 5,000 kyat toward accommodation and 5,000 kyat for other general expenses.

The total donation will amount to over 13 million kyat (US$10,290).

A huge blaze razed over 200 homes in Namhsan of northern Shan State on Thursday, leaving an estimated 1,270 people homeless, according to authorities.

A fire on the same day in Irrawaddy Division’s Labutta destroyed 179 homes, leave over 700 people without shelter, officials said.