by Hafizur Rahman
Rathedaung Township, Rakhine State | July 24, 2026
Rohingya residents in Thamee Hla village tract of Rathedaung Township say they are being forced to pay 7,000 kyats per household to fund bridge repairs, according to local sources.
Residents said a meeting was held by the village administration last week, during which villagers were informed that funds were needed to repair bridges damaged during years of military rule. According to those present, the village was asked to contribute a total of 500,000 kyats for the repair work.
However, villagers allege that the village administration is collecting 7,000 kyats from every Rohingya household, an amount they say would far exceed the reported request. With approximately 200 households in the village, the total collection could reach 1.4 million kyats.
Many residents say they are already struggling to survive after years of conflict, displacement, and economic hardship, and that the additional payment has become another heavy financial burden.
“We have already lost our homes, our land, and our livelihoods. Now we are being asked to pay money that many families simply do not have,” one Rohingya resident told Rohingya Khobor.
Another resident said, “People are borrowing money just to meet this demand. We are afraid to refuse because we worry about what could happen to us.”
A third resident told Rohingya Khobor, “We only want to live in peace and support our families. Instead of receiving help, we are facing more pressure every day.”
Residents have called on the relevant authorities to investigate the reported collections and ensure civilians are protected from unfair financial demands. They say families already living under severe hardship should not be subjected to additional economic burdens.
