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Primate of Burma: ‘Do not forget the cyclone victims’
by Ed Beavan
 Still struggling: an aerial view of the Irrawaddy Delta after Cyclone Nargis REUTERS |
| ALMOST five months to the day since Cyclone Nargis devastated Burma, the Archbishop of Myanmar, the Most Revd Stephen Than Myint Oo, has urged the worldwide Church not to forget the plight of the 21.5 million people whose lives have been affected by the disaster.
Official government figures state that 77,738 people were killed in the cyclone, and 55,917 are missing, while state media reported that one million people were left homeless, mostly in the Irrawaddy Delta region.
Writing in a statement to the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Oo said an estimated 80 to 90 per cent of those living in the affected regions are now living in improvised shelters, with little access to clean water.
“The monsoon season has worsened conditions of overcrowding, lack of hygiene, and potential spread of diseases. Most of the existing water sources are either damaged or spoiled.
“There have been reports of diarrhoeal diseases in the affected population. In addition, stagnant water after flooding increases the risks of malaria and dengue fever.
“Added to this, the World Health Organisation estimates that at least 60 per cent of health infastructures in the delta have been either destroyed or damaged.”
The Archbishop explained how the Church’s relief efforts have been hampered by difficulties in reaching affected areas, but they had now bought a boat to improve accessibility.
Their relief team of health workers, logisticians, and labour personnel have helped those in the affected areas by clearing débris, fixing boats, draining ponds contaminated by salt water, planting vegetables, and giving trauma counselling and healthcare-awareness seminars.
The relief committee has also distributed power tillers and several water buffalo, and has assisted schoolchildren with new school uniforms and stationery.
But they are still appealing for financial support for their $1.55- million rehabilitation programme, having received pledges for just 60 per cent of the total so far.
The programme will go towards five main areas: water, sanitation, health, counselling, and children, as well as helping to rebuild church buildings damaged in the cyclone, and the Holy Cross Theological College in Rangoon.
Christian Aid still has an emergency appeal for Burma, and has already raised more than £2 million for victims of the cyclone, with eight partners on the ground who are focusing on building shelters and implementing early warning systems.
www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/current/burma_cyclone/index.aspx Bishop installedThe new Bishop of Hpa-An in the Church of the Province of Myanmar, the Rt Revd Saw Stylo, was installed at a ceremony at St Peter’s Cathedral in Hpa-An on 21 September. The consecration was carried out by the Archbishop of Myanmar, and was attended by all the diocesan bishops of the province. |
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