Kantarawaddy Times
Ko Kwaye village is located in Daw La Saw Village Tract, on the western side of Hpruso Township, Karenni State. It is a remote and less populated area. Due to its inaccessibility, it has been free from military junta troops and can be considered relatively peaceful. However, they still have to face natural disaster.
In September 2024, continuous heavy rain caused landslides and ground cracks in Ko Kwaye village, forcing all villagers to evacuate to a safer place.
In the old Ko Kwaye village, cracks up to 3 feet deep appeared on the main village road, which was severely damaged.
The villagers anticipated that there would be more cracks and landslides if the heavy rain continues. That’s why the residents relocated the entire village within a week for safety.
Now, no one lives in the old village anymore, and not a single original house remains. The villagers dismantled their old homes and started rebuilding in the new location.
Following the 2021 military coup, internally displaced people (IDPs) from conflict-affected areas in downtown Hpruso have also settled in Ko Kwaye alongside the villagers.
Currently, both local villagers and IDPs are living in temporary shelters. Even after nine months, major reconstruction remains incomplete, and urgent assistance is still needed.
The new Ko Kwaye village has been established at the same hilltop as the old one. However, not all families have been able to rebuild their houses.
Previously, there were 17 local homes and 19 IDP homes, housing over 200 people. So far, only half of those homes have been rebuilt.
“The dismantled houses were too damaged. The roofs were full of holes. Only about 50% could be reused. That’s not okay for us,” said village headmaster Eizar Ko Nay Win.
The Key Role of Housing Construction in the Rebuilding Process
Most villagers rely solely on farming for their livelihood, with no other income sources. As a result, they cannot afford to purchase necessary building materials for proper homes. Although some donors have provided items like zinc roofing, tarpaulins, and basic supplies, the needs still remain, especially for elderly, disabled, or female-headed households.
“We have elderly, disabled, and women-headed households who need extra help. If we could provide help for them, it will be very great,” added Eizar Ko Nay Win.
According to village priest Johnny George, delays are due to the dual responsibility of rebuilding houses and communal facilities like arranging the place, building schools, and hall.
“Without aid, we can’t manage everything. We’re building the church, school, and village hall from scratch. Every day we work voluntarily, but it leaves us no time for earning a living,” he said.
Due to this, villagers and IDPs are collectively appealing for assistance to help build permanent housing.
Unable to Devote Time to Farming, the Main Source of Livelihood
“We didn’t get to farm this year. We’re busy with building houses, making bamboo fences, and helping with village reconstruction,” said one female IDP from Dee Dah Khu ward in Hpruso.
Since the rainy season is approaching, families are prioritizing building shelters to survive rather than farming, leading no time for farming.
Those who were able to farm last year could only cultivate half the normal acreage compared to the previous year. Due to the inability to weed the paddy plants, some of them are not growing well or are withering, which is causing concerns about potential food insecurity.
“We only planted small plots. The seeds aren’t thriving. If the rain is not good enough, there is a chance to fail. If the paddy fails, we’ll suffer food shortages,” one local said.
Main Challenges and Obstacles
Villagers have already submitted requests for support to rebuild the new village to the local administrative council. They could help with land arrangements and transportation logistics. However, due to budget limitations, their assistance has been minimal.
“The number one need is financial support. Whatever we do, whether it’s regional development or project implementation, money is essential. So, the number one challenge is financial. The second is machinery. For example, we don’t even have a single tractor here. When it comes to urgently clearing landslide areas, we have to do it manually with shovels, which is much more exhausting and time-consuming. The lack of machinery is part of the problem too,” said Kwan James Nay Min Lwin, an advisor to the administrative council of Hpwant Baw Kwat Township, organized under the IEC.
Additionally, clean water remains critical for cooking and personal hygiene. That’s why since the starting of rebuilding, we are trying as much as we can to get the water in the village, according to the village headmaster.
Some donor groups donated pipes, and water is now being piped from a distant source toward the new village. Initially, the pipes reached only halfway, but health workers have since extended it to the village.
“When it rains, we use rainwater. When it doesn’t, we walk far to collect stream water. Now that water is piped into the village, it’s much more convenient,” explained the village leader.
However, even though the water pipe reaches to the village, a water storage pond is still needed to build.
Education
For the 2025–2026 academic year, villagers are constructing a new school building. Still, there’s a shortage of stationary, desks, roofing, and structural materials. They plan to finish the school building within this month.
The school will offer classes from kindergarten to Grade 5, with over 30 students and 6 teachers.
Only 30% of Reconstruction Completed
Even after nine months, only 30% of rebuilding is complete because they need many basic supplies to build the new Ko Kwaye village, according to the village leader. Most homes, the church, school, health center, and village hall remain unfinished.
“We’re only 30% done. Houses, wells, and water tanks, everything is still pending,” said village headmaster Eizar Ko Nay Win.
Natural disasters have left villagers struggling to rebuild their lives, needing not only shelter but also sustainable livelihoods.
Up to now, villagers are still hoping for access to essential basic infrastructure, including housing, education, and healthcare services.
They also haven’t been able to dedicate time to rebuilding their livelihoods. Although the overall rebuilding process is a long journey, villagers are hoping that immediate needs can be addressed with support from responsible authorities and donor organizations.
