The British set up a provisional government called the British Military Administration(BMA) which took charge of governing Singapore until 1 April 1946.

It faced the difficult task of rebuilding the country and maintaining law and order.The people faced many problems in post-war Singapore e.g overcrowded living conditions,poor sanitation,lack of health services and unemployment.However,more serious problems were the shortage of food and lack of housing.
The British took several steps to overcome the problems.The Japanese POWs were used to restore electricity and water resources and supplies.The British cleared the harbour of shipwrecks and mines so that ships carrying foodstuff could enter the port.



Food Rationing was also practiced by the British Government.Food could also be bought at reasonable prices from People's Restaurant.To solve the housing problem,the British built flats and passed a law on rent control to prevent landlords from raising the house rents and forcing tenants out.