Cyclone survivors receiving food from a Tearfund partner. Picture: Htein Win
More than 55,000 survivors of the Myanmar cyclone are receiving aid from Tearfund’s Christian partners.
Food, water, shelter, medicine, clothing and household materials are being distributed to survivors.
One partner is using its links to 4,500 churches to get supplies to people in some of the badly affected areas of the Irrwawaddy Delta.
Another Christian partner is helping more than 40,000 people in Yangon and Irrawaddy and is targeting another 10,000, particularly displaced families and orphans.
Its staff and local partners have distributed some 80 tons of rice in the first week, plus beans, oil, salt, fish and instant noodles.
The arrival of much needed food supplies. Picture: Htein Win
Food aid remains a critical need. The cyclone hit five states that are predominantly agricultural areas, producing 65 per cent of the country’s rice.
Non-food items such as mosquito nets, oral rehydration salts, candles, tarpaulin, water purification treatments, and generators to power the pumping of wells, have been supplied too.
People injured in the cyclone in Bogale township are being targeted by partner staff working with two local medical organisations.
With about half the health centres in the Irrawaddy area being damaged, many losing their roofs, mobile medical teams are providing first aid and surgical care.
Trauma, diarrhoea, and respiratory infections are the main health issues being faced in some areas.
With vast numbers of wooden homes flattened, providing shelter is a priority.
One of our partners is planning to build 100 bamboo and tin transitional shelters in Yangon.
Tearfund partners are helping survivors rebuild their homes by providing materials. Picture: Htein Win
Building materials for people to repair their homes have also been distributed.
Both our partners are already planning long term recovery work after the initial relief operation is over.
Restoring agriculture and food production will be vital, with some of the hardest hit villages losing not just their homes but food stores, livestock, seeds and equipment.
It’s been estimated that $243 million will be needed for rice seeds, fertilisers and irrigation schemes. Another $20 million will be required for restocking of dead animals, vaccines, feed and rebuilding livestock shelters.
Overall the UN estimates some 2.5 million people have been affected by the disaster and up to 100,000 killed. The Myanmar authorities put the death toll at 43,000.