The regime is still struggling to clear rubble and demolish staff housing that collapsed in the administrative capital of Naypyitaw in the March 28 earthquake, forcing staff to stay in makeshift tents in schools and football pitches or government offices.
“I went to stay with sister in Yangon for four or five days after the earthquake,” an Ethnic Affairs Ministry staffer told The Irrawaddy. “I came back to Naypyitaw when [my department head] told me to. They have built temporary shelters, and I’ve been staying there. My apartment is still being demolished. Other staff stay in their offices. I have to work as usual.”
Around 80 percent of government offices and staff apartments were damaged by the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake. Naypyitaw suffered the second highest casualties after Mandalay, and many of the victims were government employees.
There are nine wards in Naypyitaw that are predominantly inhabited by government employees. The regime earlier said it would start repairing buildings that sustained minor damage around the end of May, but it is still struggling to clear debris nearly two weeks into the month.
The regime has ordered the original builders to repair and rebuild quake-hit government offices and staff apartments.
A shipment of 340 prefab units and office furniture donated by China arrived in Yangon on May 2 to serve as temporary offices for ministries and were taken straight to Naypyitaw.
Overseeing their installation, deputy junta chief Soe Win, told ministries to resume operations in their brand-new shacks by the end of May. Until then, many government offices are operating out of tents.
The regime has opened 75 relief camps in Naypyitaw where over 2,900 families are taking shelter. But over 23,800 other households displaced by the earthquake have found temporary accommodation by themselves, according to Disaster Management Department.
