The worst disaster to hit Asia in over a decade, Cyclone Nargis left around 138,000 people dead or missing, 20,000 injured and over 2.4 million severely affected, with 450,000 homes and 1,700 schools destroyed.
November 2 2008 marks six months since the disaster struck and to mark the occasion we thought we’d bring you up-to-date with what IR has accomplished in this time…
A multi-faith response
In the immediate aftermath of the cyclone IR worked through partners such as the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and International Development Enterprises (IDE). IR provided financial support, relief items and technical expertise in the field of water and sanitation.
This experience allowed IR staff to gain experience of how best to operate within Myanmar, as well as to identify the areas and populations most in need of help. IR was determined to avoid ‘aid dependency’ and so took a community-based approach; involving the local people in decisions regarding the type of aid provided and selection of beneficiaries and hiring our staff from the affected areas in order to benefit from their local knowledge and expertise, build capacity to reduce further disasters and provide much-needed jobs.
Our staff included Buddhists, Christians, Muslims and the non-religious and the coming together of people from different faiths and cultures made our experience in Myanmar a model for humanitarian cooperation and inclusiveness.
Our work so far
Emergency Relief
Food
IR distributed food packs to over 8,000 families. This included over 330 tons of good quality rice and 16,000 litres of peanut oil as well as smaller quantities of beans and fish.
Household Kits
Our household kits containing pots, pans, plates and other utensils, mosquito nets and blankets were distributed to over 1,500 families.
Hygiene Kits
We distributed over 6,000 hygiene kits.
Plastic sheeting/tarpaulins
We provided 3,000 tarpaulins. The tarpaulins were strong and durable with reinforced seams and grommets, meaning that families could feel safe and secure using them as temporary shelters. The tarpaulins can also be used for rainwater harvesting.
Education
Repairs
IR repaired six cyclone damaged schools in Hmaw Be Township. Hmaw Be had received little help before IR intervention. As well as repairing the schools we improved them.
Reconstruction
IR is currently funding a local organisation called KDN to construct 15 preschools in Labutta and Ngapudaw.
Furniture
IR provided 2,000 sets of tables and benches for 100 primary schools in Dedaye Township. Each locally made bench sits four students.
Livelihoods
Fishing
Cyclone Nargis destroyed thousands of people’s livelihoods by washing away their possessions. IR replaced 280 fishing boats and 180 nets enabling the fishing families to regain their livelihoods and so their dignity.
Agriculture
Seventy percent of the Ayerwaddy Delta population is dependent on farming. In order to support farmers affected by Cyclone Nargis, IR provided funding to the International Development Enterprises (IDE) to help 1,000 farmers rehabilitate their rice paddies by providing them with high-yield rice seeds, fertilisers, tractors, diesel and field clearing support. This has enabled farmers to plant rice for the monsoon season which will be harvested in the coming months, providing food and income for the rice farmers and their neighbours.
Shelter
IR constructed 272 durable houses for families in Dedaye and Kungyangon Townships. The houses have timber frames and flooring and are secured with pre-cast concrete foundations. The roofs are made from iron sheeting which will last for many years. The houses are raised from the ground in order to prevent damage from future flooding.
Water and Sanitation
IR supported ADRA in cleaning water collection ponds which had been contaminated by sea water during the cyclone. As a contingency IR also acquired 36 water storage tanks which each hold 5,000 litres of potable water and distributed 16,000 water containers to enable household water collection.
Future Plans
In November and December 2008, IR will:
Construct and furnish 15 preschools (Early Childhood Education Centres) that were destroyed by the cyclone.
Continue funding the recovery of farmers whose fields were damaged by Cyclone Nargis
Set up 36 water distribution stations for the upcoming dry season (for villages in Labutta whose rainwater collection ponds have been contaminated by the Cyclone)
Build 1,200 additional houses