Myanmar (Burma) cyclone

The disaster in Myanmar (Burma) as a result of cyclone Nargis was far worse than anyone had anticipated. ActionAid is there working with partners to help rebuild the lives of some of the most vulnerable people.

According to the UN there are more 134,000 people dead or missing and 2.5 million people have been severely affected - such as losing their homes and possessions.

The cyclone destroyed thousands of buildings, power lines, trees, roads and blocked the water supply to large parts of the population. Houses along the coast were reduced to skeletal structures and 60 villages were virtually wiped out.

ActionAid's response
We developed a three month relief recovery programme working through three local partner organisations.

Through our local partner KDN (Knowledge and Dedication for the Nation) Pact Myanmar and Myanmar Egress, ActionAid is currently providing emergency relief in the districts of Pathein, Laputta, Bogale, Pyanpon and Ngapudaw.

Roger Yates, ActionAid head of Emergencies said "Recovery must go hand in hand with the relief effort. People remain very vulnerable for a long time after a disaster so we need to ensure that they are getting all the help they need."

 We are also working with the voluntary wing of the Myanmar Chamber of Commerce – Myanmar Egress – to ensure the adequate and timely supply of goods and to help in negotiations with the Myanmar government.

With ActionAid funding, Myanmar Egress has reached 50 villages with one-off distributions of food and water, temporary shelters, clothes, household items and medical supplies and has also started cash for work programmes which enable people to earn an income whilst taking part in public work. That will increase to 12,100 households (60,000 people) across 220 villages by the end of July.

As well as providing rice and water purification tablets, we have also started cash for work schemes enabling people like Daw Wah Wah Htun to repair their villages and supplying tools and seeds so people like Daw Htay can start to earning a living again.

Another important aspect of our work in Myanmar is psychosocial care - attending to the mental health of the survivors. Dealing with these issues from the outset helps those caught up in disasters to recover more quickly and contributes to long term stability at a community level.

photo : ©ActionAid