UMO bats for equal distribution of relief aid
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 04 2025: The Universal Mother's Organisation (UMO) has called for equal allocation of relief assistance among the internally displaced people (IDPs), regardless of whether they take refuge in relief camps or at friends' or relatives' places.

Addressing a press briefing at Lamphelpat today, UMO president Moirangthem Sorojini said that families in relief camps are not the only people who were chased and kicked out from their villages in Churachandpur, Moreh, Kangpokpi etc as many others too have been languishing at friends' or relatives' places since the onset of the violence in May, 2023.Saying that many of the IDPs decided to seek shelter at familiar places instead of going to relief camps as they thought the unrest will be resolved in a month or two, she said that taking shelter at people's houses for a prolonged period, however, is vexing to both the parties regardless of how close they are.

She went on to state that many IDPs who are not in relief camps don't get any assistance from the Govt as they don't possess any documents which were provided to peoplein relief camps.

Saying that UMO will collect and submit the list of IDPs who have been taking shelter at their friends' or relatives' places, Sorojini appealed to the respective district administrations to take up necessary initiatives to alleviate the suffering of this section of IDPs.

Stating that some displaced families have received Rs 25,000 each as relief assistance while many others haven't got anything, she urged the Govt not to be partisan but provide relief to all the displaced families.

If the relief assistance is to be given serial-wise, then the Govt must clarify, she said.

She, meanwhile, appealed to the Govt to take up steps to accommodate IDPs who are not in relief camps at the houses abandoned by the Kuki families until they can be resettled at their original places.

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