Earthquake victims near Myanmar capital face high demolition costs

Having already lost homes in the March 28 earthquake, residents of Pyinmana Township, Naypyitaw Union Territory, are now saddled with the exorbitant expense of clearing away the rubble of their destroyed houses.

Residents of the township—one of eight in the city of Naypyitaw—are required to request approval for demolition from the Naypyitaw City Development Committee before spending millions of kyat to rent the machinery and equipment needed to clear the damaged, unstable structures and debris remaining on their property. 

The total costs of the demolition and clearing can range from 1.5 to 5 million kyat depending on the type of house, Pyinmana property owners said.