Some Social Welfare groups in Mon State have temporarily suspended their activities after being required to maintain a minimum balance of 50 million (500 lakhs) kyats in their bank accounts in order to renew their registration.
The requirement was set during a military junta union registration meeting in January, which stated that state and regional -level groups must keep 50 million kyats, union-level groups 100 million kyats, and international non-governmental organisations 300 million kyats in their bank accounts.
In Mon State, 13 social welfare groups whose registration has expired were informed in late February that they must show proof of the required bank balance before their registration can be renewed.
“Our team registration has expired, and to renew it, we must show that we have 50 million kyats in the bank. As a charity group, we don’t have that much money because we work on donations, not as a business. We have been doing this work for about 20 years and have never seen this kind of rule before. If this is required, we may have to stop our activities,” said a member of a social welfare group in Ye Township.
Among the 13 notified social welfare groups, eight are from Mawlamyine, two from Kyaikto, and one each from Bilin, Ye, and Chaungzon.
Under the new law, groups that continue operating without renewing their registration could face up to three years in prison.
Social welfare groups primarily assist with funeral services, patient transportation, and disaster relief efforts. If these groups stop their activities, it could become more difficult for people to receive emergency assistance, the residents said.
“I’m not sure whether the authorities have already started inspections. But if social welfare groups stop operating, it will be difficult for us when emergencies happen,” said a woman from Paung Township.
According to the latest decision by the military junta, social welfare groups must also submit activity reports every three months to the township administrator in the area where they operate.
The reports must include bank statements and photos of their activities, and copies must also be sent to the relevant registration bodies and government departments.
Authorities have also been shutting down unregistered volunteer and social welfare groups, while closely monitoring organisations’ political neutrality, financial sources, and financial records.
