Postal Address:

PO Box 838

Chester Hill

NSW 2162, Australia
Text Box: Cyclone Nargis was a killer. The eyes of the world did not see the sorrow and death. It struck Myanmar (home to 52 million people) on 2nd and 3rd of May 2008, with winds up to 200km/h. Nargis was the worst natural disaster in the history of Myanmar and the most devastating cyclone to strike Asia since 1991. Damage was most severe in the delta region, where the effects of extreme winds caused extreme damage. If that wasn’t bad enough. A 3.6 meter storm surge, flooded the Delta region. Drowning, the number one cause of fatalities. 138,000 people died and 2.4 million people are severely affected. GAiN was there from day one to help the Cyclone affected people through Myanmar Relief Project. The Myanmar relief project is a united effort between the GAiN head offices of USA, Canada, Germany, Holland, South Korea and Australia. GAiN Australia is the lead agency.

NOVEMBER 2008

www.globalaid.net.au

gain@globalaid.net.au
GAiN Myanmar Relief Project Report

Devastating situation of Myanmar Cyclone victims

Global Aid Network (GAiN)

 

1.   Urgent/Community Relief Operation

 

In the midst of chaos GAiN was able to train the local volunteers and sent them out to launch the relief effort (picture). GAiN Disaster Relief Expert gives training to more than 200 volunteers. Trucks load of Humanitarian aid arrived from different locations. Different GAiN Relief Teams journey to the affected area to distribute the aid. Urgent temporary shelters were built by GAiN Relief Teams. Roads were cleared. Feeding programs for the survivors were run. GAiN even donated aid to more than 8,000 prisoners and jailers. 7 Water Purification systems were set up at 7 different villages. Medical teams were sent out. In order to combat poor morale, GAiN relief teams organized prayer and worship services for the Nargis Survivors.

GAiN Relief Teams’ efforts in different affected areas
Text Box: Feature story: GAiN Teams help the Cyclone Nargis Survivors Name: Ma Naing (2) Single Mother of 3 (2 daughter & 1 son) (3) Village Name: Lay-Eain-Tan (4) Region - Dedaye District (Delta Region) (5)  Lives 80 Miles from Yangon ( 2 hour car ride & 1 hour boat ride)   GAiN local volunteer team met this lady on the 15th May 2008, approximately 2 weeks after the cyclone hit. She was taking refuge in a Buddhist Monastery near her village as her house was destroyed.  GAiN medical team examined her and gave her as much treatment as they could.   She wasn't able to move as her left leg was well swollen.  During the storm she tried to rescue her children by taking them from her house to the monastery. The wind blew a tree down and pinned her leg.  Sometime later, people in her village found her in helpless situation.

GAiN team organized for her to receive treatment in Myanmar's capital - Yangon. They personally travelled with the lady from her village into the city, where she was able to have the best doctors examine her.  Unfortunately her leg has to be amputated to keep her alive.  An orthopedic surgeon amputated her leg on the 26th June 2008 and gave her an 80% survival rate. GAiN paid for all her treatment & transportation as well as providing her crutches. GAiN volunteer staff have been visiting her regularly. Ma Naing has now returned home and sells flowers on a boat with her mother as well as taking care of her family.

GAiN medical team is examining Ma Naing

After the treatment

2.   Six Villages Reconstruction Operation in Pyapon

GAiN obtained special permission from government officials in the Irrawaddy Delta region to lead the relief effort in six villages. The Villages are located around the Pyapon area, they are Thalate Kyee, Thalate Lay, Thalate Chaung Pya, Thalate Tu Myaung, Kyan Khin Tu Myaung and Pho Swar.

 

Strategically, GAiN’s delivery of care in this area has increased government relations and recognition.

GAiN Feeding Programme for the Cyclone survivors and prisoners

 

Shortly after the cyclone, GAiN was able to rebuild the first primary school in Thalate Kyee Village. Within three weeks, Thalate Kyee School was completed and GAiN was able to organize an opening ceremony. Government officials and villagers attended on that very special occasion and it brought great joy to the community. On that day, all the students from that school received their very special gift of a school backpack filled with stationary. By 5th of August, five other schools were completed and opened by GAiN.

 

Four monastaries have been repaired in the same area. Now GAiN is in the process of building 120 new houses for the people who couldn't afford to build their own house.

Backpacks were given to all students of the six schools built by GAiN

 Because of cyclone Nargis, all six schools in those six villages in Pyapon area were completely flattened

What an amazing two new schools coming up on the Opening Ceremony

GAiN was able to open six new schools during four months

GAiN distributed 1500 Student Backpacks and 750 sacks of rice to the students

The public and government officials were pleased with GAiN’s assistance with rebuilding and relief efforts

GAiN was able to set up 7 water purification units in different villages

GAiN was able to take Popular Myanmar singers and musicians to the affected area & are able to give the gift packs to the students at our 6 schools and entertain them.

GAiN medical team of  40 members were tirelessly looking after the cyclone Victims in Pyapon Region
Text Box: 3. Humanitarian Aid Containers Operation GAiN in Australia, USA, Canada, Germany, Holland and South Korea are all helping the Myanmar Relief project, by sending Shipping containers, loaded with much needed supplies into Myanmar. Food, water purification tablets, baby milk powder, clothes medical supplies and many other kinds of essential items. So far 17x40 ft containers have already arrived at Myanmar and GAiN was able to distribute to the desperate and needy people in the cyclone affected area. Each container is worth USD $100,000 to $800,000.

4x40 ft containers of Baby Milk Powder (72,052 boxes) are in the process of clearance of the customs, transportation and distribution in Myanmar