"Aid workers are continuing to reach out to the most vulnerable" says Tearfund
Staff from relief and development agency Tearfund, returning from Myanmar (Burma) have called for the continued support of those hit by cyclone Nargis and to workers distributing aid as they carry on the massive relief operation to people.
Church groups in Myanmar (Burma) supported by Tearfund are running camps for those who have been made homeless by the crisis, with one providing help to over 3,000 people. The distribution of aid and medical help also continues despite massive loss of life amongst local church groups.
"Our partners need our support as they continue in their efforts to access the most vulnerable and distribute aid," says Davidson Solanki who has just returned from the country.
Support for the many people deeply affected by the trauma of the disaster is also a key need amongst communities, and partners are looking at how best to support people.
Alison Fernandeswho also visited partners in the region says "People were already on the edge before and now the cyclone is tipping them over. It is not just their houses that they have lost but their livelihoods, their relatives; and their hearts are hurting."
But there is also hope and as partners support communities they are seeing people beginning to look to the future.
"Local church workers tell me you can see the trauma on people's faces, but there is hope as people want to rebuild their lives," says Davidson.
After a 35-year-old mother's house collapsed in the cyclone she and her three children were forced to drink dirty water that had collected under the house from the rains for three days. Through church groups supported by Tearfund, she now has food and fresh water to give her family.
Local groups have also been providing medical assistance for serious injuries sustained from the storms.
"Many people were severely wounded as they literally hung onto coconut trees, some for many hours as winds of nearly 130 mph and waters up to 20 meters swept through, often stripping the skin and clothes from their bodies," says Davidson.
One man had ended up being swept by the water down a road miles from his village.
"He had first tried to climb on a water buffalo but had been swept off by a wave and had found a log to cling on to," says Alison "he lost consciousness and found himself the next day many miles from home. This was a common story of many people," she adds.
One man from Myanmar's (Burma) BogalayTownship managed to get to the roof of his house but his children were swept away. "I haven't got any information and can't contact my children," he says.
Tearfund partners have been able to get help to some 100,000 people and are also continuing to get aid by boat to communities with the help of other local groups.
There is also work being done as communities plan for their long term needs. Traditionally it is planting season in the country, and partners are helping people to plant rice providing tractors and fuel to plough fields. With much of the ground contaminated by salt, local groups are also supporting communities to plant different bean crops later in the year and ensure food supplies.
Shelters to help protect communities against storms and cyclones are also being planned together with technical training for people on how to prepare for and deal with disaster situations.
"The work of the church in Myanmar (Burma) means that thousands of people are continuing to get vital aid and assistance and are being supported as they start to think of the future, says Alison. "But it is now, more than ever that the communities affected as well as those helping them are supported as they continue to reach out to people," she adds.
Notes to Editors
Tearfund is working with two partner agencies in Yangonand Ayerayawaddy Delta affected regions providing relief food, safe water, medical help and shelter. A second relief phase will support: re-housing, water supply; livelihood regeneration and education.
For interviews with Alison Fernandesor Davidson Solanki please call the Tearfund Press Office on 020 8943 7792
For further information contact the Tearfund Press Office on 020 8943 7792 or 07710 573749
To donate to Tearfund's disasters fund visit www.tearfund.org or call 0845 355 8355