Cyclone Nargis

Cyclone Nargis: One Year On

1 May 2009

Exactly a year ago Cyclone Nargis crashed through Myanmar, killing over 140,000 people and damaging the livelihoods of tens of thousands more. Houses were damaged, crops were flattened and livestock killed.

Within a week after Cyclone Nargis had struck, the Muslim Aid Emergency Team were on the ground. We distributed aquatabs to purify enough water for 50,000 people a week as well as installing eight water purification systems that provided clean drinking water to over 70,000 people a day. Blankets, medication and food parcels were also distributed to 3,000 families in partnership with Global Medic and other local organisations.

One year on however, memories are still fresh in the minds of the survivors. You’ve helped us do a fantastic job so far, and Alhamdulillah, your generosity has raised over £214,000 for our relief efforts in Myanmar.

Together we have:

• Distributed food parcels to over 3,000 families and hygiene kits to a further 3,000
• Installed a number of water purification systems and distributed aquatabs in the worst-affected areas
• Cleaned and cleared 87 ponds and 400 wells
• Distributed 1,000 Mosquito nets in Laputta & Bogale Districts
• Distributed school uniforms for 890 students in Bogale
• Provided 200 families with livelihoods by providing fishing boats, nets, fish traps & spare parts for tillers, tractors and water pumps
• Within the Cash-For-Scheme, provided 100 people with cash for work to reconstruct houses and clear debris in the villages
• Worked with the Positive Muslim Group to operate a microfinance scheme for the members, helping them become more self-reliant through the implementation of interest-free loans
• Distributed medical supplies to hospitals as well as providing medical support to a number of patients
• Implemented Ramadan and Qurbani programmes
• Repaired 280 houses
• Built 200 houses in Bogale in partnership with Alertnet and the Evergreen group. Priority was given to widows, elderly and disabled people

However we still have so much more to do! Plans for the future include the building of 250 new houses, mosquito net distribution, the building of ponds to collect rain water and the distribution of water purification machines.

We cannot do any of this without your help. If you would like to support our life-saving work please donate now.

Bogale

In Bogale, Muslim Aid, along with Alert Net, the Reuters Foundation, repaired 100 houses. Muslim Aid also repaired another 200 with local NGO Evergreen, replacing rotten floorboards, collapsing walls and missing roofs. In the same area, Muslim Aid also provided fishing boats, traps and nets to 200 fishermen whose equipment was lost in the storm as well as replacing 100 tillers for farming.

Lluwazar 

Half the children in one of the schools in Lluwazar perished in the storm waters while most of village schools were completely destroyed. The pupils now take lessons in makeshift plastic tents still battered by monsoon winds and rains. With their possessions swept away in the raging waters, many children had no clothes to wear to come to lessons. Muslim Aid donated uniforms to 7,600 children so they could feel warm and comfortable to go to school and continue their education.

 “The children were absolutely delighted with our gift,” said Harsha Pilapitiya, Muslim Aid Sri Lanka’s Head of Emergency Relief, who has been in Myanmar since the cyclone hit.

Laputa

When Cyclone Nargis struck, widespread flooding caused the pollution of it ponds which were the main source of water for villagers to drink , cook and clean who did not have access to wells. Muslim Aid provided technical support to its partner, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), to clean 80 ponds with dredging equipment and pumps in Laputa in the Irrawaddy Delta. The project aims to clean 120 wells in the area.

Microfinance

Muslim Aid team are helping HIV positive men and women in Myanmar. Muslim Aid has given seven women – four of whom are widows with children - short term loans of $30 for preparing sweets to break fast during Ramadan. They will pay back one dollar each day.

“If it is successful, we will give them further loans to start up businesses,” said Harsha Pilapitiya, Muslim Aid Sri Lanka’s Head of Emergency Relief, who has been in Myanmar since the cyclone hit.

We could not have done any of this without your help. If you would like to support more families in Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis, please donate now.