A wrecked building bears testimony to the destruction caused by the cyclone. Picture: Tearfund partner
Rebuilding livelihoods and repairing damage caused by the massive tidal surge inflicted by the Myanmar cyclone will be two big challenges in the country’s long term recovery.
That’s the assessment of one of Tearfund’s key partners in the relief effort following Cyclone Nargis which claimed nearly 80,000 lives and left 50,000 people missing.
Tearfund is working through Christian and church-linked partners to help more than 100,000 people affected by the storm nearly two months ago.
Although areas buffeted by winds of more than 120mph suffered considerable structural damage, places deluged by the tidal surge face significant long term problems.
Rebuilding the ability of survivors to make a living is going to be a priority, as many have no savings to fall back on, so cash-for-work schemes are being implemented.
`Areas affected by the tidal surge experienced the most loss of life and of livelihoods,’ said the Myanmar director of one Tearfund partner. `There are many villages where nothing exists at all and need total reconstruction.
Significant losses
`Losses were very significant particularly in terms of crop seeds, livestock, tractors and fuel.
`We’ll be aiming to help people reclaim damaged land, provide grain storage, new equipment, new ploughs and to rehabilitate the environment.’
Protecting people from future cyclones will also be a key part of our partner’s plans.
That’ll mean helping towns and villages construct storm-resistant community buildings which will be strong enough to withstand fierce winds and high enough to avoid flood damage.
Attention is also being focused on rebuilding coastal communities where some estimates put the death toll among fishermen at 10,000.
Overall, plans are being drawn up to assist cyclone survivors for several years and the church will have a key role.
The partner director added, `The church has done extraordinarily well. Helping it to carry this forward is a big challenge.’
Cyclone Nargis caused a tidal surge that left vast tracts of land deep under water. Picture: Tearfund partner