CHRISTIAN AID has sent emergency aid to communities devastated
by exceptionally heavy rain, which has affected eastern Burma since
late July. Flooding has forced more than 33,000 people from their
homes, and at least three have died.
The charity is targeting areas where people are unable to get to
any of the 80 relief camps. Ramani Leathard, of Christian Aid,
said: "For those in more remote areas . . . access to camps is
impossible. In emergency situations, where the poorest are most
affected, it is important to co-ordinate relief work, as funds are
limited."
Floodwater reached ten metres deep in some areas, destroying
thousands of homes and ruining farm-land, threatening
food-insecurity for next year. This week, state media warned of
"incessant rains" further west, around the Irrawaddy river delta.
It urged people to take the "necessary preventative measures".
The weather has also affected the Philippines, where the
government-run Philippines News Agency reported that up to 100,000
people had been forced out of their homes on the island of
Mindanao.