Shortly after Cyclone Nargis hit the Irrawaddy delta of Burma May 2nd two travel organizations that Generosity in Action has worked with for a number of years asked if we could collect funds for them to distribute to help the local people. We were happy to do so. [As of 6/30 we anticipate that further funds will go to repbuilding schools in the area and for plowing equipment as described in later reports.] Below you will find segments from emails received from them. Because of their candid comments I have chosen to not include their names. If you wish further information, please email me at duncan@GenerosityInAction.org

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Received June 30th

Generosity in Action
Time Cyclone Relief Reoprt
Mission II
30 May - 02 June 2008

The team of 6 volunteers headed by one of our friends left Yangon by passenger bus at 6 P.M on Fri 30 May and arrived Laputta at 4:00 P.M next day. They should arrive next morning but the car broke down on the way. On 1 June, from Laputta, accompanied by locals and the Micro Finance NGO people, they proceeded to the villages by motorboat. They were able to reach 4 villages the first day and distributed the goods. Due lack of time, the group had to go to another 4 villages next day to distribute the remaining goods. The team returned next evening 2nd Jun to Rangoon. They arrived back around 0900 AM on 03 June. It should be mentioned that Laputta township and the surrounding areas are the hardest hit by the cyclone. Laputta is situated near the mouth of the river flowing into the Bay of Bangal. It takes about 10 hrs by car from Rangoon. To Bogale where we sent our 1 st and 3rd Missions, car journey was about 6 hrs +. We send the Mission to Laputta area this time because few relief teams have reached the place on account of it distance and difficult car journey and people from there requested help.

For this Mission 2, the contributions thru GIA for $ 1,700 was used.
As reported on May 30, this donation was pooled with other donations and action taken immediately because of the urgency of the situation.

This time also coordinated beforehand with friends from UN agencies in Laputta re logistics, transportation, help from local volunteers and the items most needed. Altogether the items are:

Relief Goods basically same as the first time:
-- 100 bags of rice at Ks 18,000 per bag [47 kg or 104 lbs. or in or local usage 1 & 1/2 baskets. Or as we reckon 24 PYIs - one pyi holds 8 condensed milk tins. So 8 x 24 = 192 condensed milk tins per bag.] Total cost Ks 1,800,000 or Ks 18 Lakhs. (Pl note rice was bought at Laputta and not transported from Rangoo. The price there is higher than at Bogale.)

-- 300 mosquito nets at Ks 6,200 each = Ks 1,860,000. We send more mosquito nets this time because our local friends asked for it and thru first hand experience with the first Mission, the victims were very very happy to receive mosquito nets. Quite understandable as when dusk falls mosquitoes and bugs and other insects swarmed down in large numbers and mosquito net is the only means of safeguard, especially for the young.

-- Plastic roofing sheets 7' x 100 yards x 20 rolls at Ks 130,000 per roll = Ks 26,000,000. Our team, like the first time, will gave out 7' x 15' to each household.
-- Salt 3/4 bags or 50 kg Ks 40,000
-- Plates & rice bowl & cooking oil - Ks 94,000
Pl note price for each item may be different from the last time as prices fluctuate greatly..
-- Transportation costs - Approx Ks 180, 000
-- For this outing $ 1 = Ks 1,120
-- We also took along many bags of clothes, noodles, biscuits donated by neighbours and friends.

At 9 A.M the group left for the villages. After 3 hours ride the group arrived at the area where there are villages which have received very little aid. This information is gathered by the locals and they helped the group get to really needy places.

They were able to reach 4 villages the first day and distribute the relief goods.
The team from Rangoon had to leave and next day the local volunteers continued with the relief mission to another 4 villages.
[We distributed roofing sheets and mosquito nets for the households who have not yet received it from other donors. For plates, cooking oil clothes, eatables ,and rice bowls, we can give only to few households recommended by the local elders. Rice & Salt was distributed to a all household. This is same for all villages we went.]

Thein Kone - 278 people (59 household) left after storm from original population 716 people (146 household). 438 people dead during the storm. Donated rice 2 weeks for each household, temporary roofing plastic sheet 7' x 15' for each household & mosquito nets.

Kanyin Kapin - 111 people (28 household) left after storm from original population 183 people (35 household). 72 people dead during the storm. We donated rice 2 weeks for each household, temporary roofing plastic sheet 7' x 15' for each household & mosquito nets for each household.

Kanyin Kwin - 1723 people (314 household) living after storm from original population 1321 people (254 household) as people from other damaged villages have moved to that village and population increased. 478 people dead during the storm. We donated rice bags 2 weeks for each household temporary roofing plastic sheet 7' x 15' for each household mosquito nets.
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Ohn Pin Su - 131 people (34 household) left after storm from original population 371 people (71 household). 34 people dead during the storm and other people have moved to other places or might be relief camps. We donated rice bags 2 weeks for each household temporary roofing plastic sheet 7' x 15' for each household & mosquito nets one for each household.

Out Set Ku - 266 people (63 household) left after storm from original population 378 people (88 household). 38 people dead during the storm and other people have moved to other places or might be relief camps. We donated rice bags 2 weeks for each household, temporary roofing plastic sheet 7' x 15' for each household & mosquito nets .

Myit Poe Su - 340 people (78 household) left after storm from original population 347 people (78 household). 7 people dead during the storm. We donated rice bags 2 weeks for each household, temporary roofing plastic sheet 7' x 15' for each household & mosquito nets for each household.

Kot Ko - 298 people (62 household) left after storm from original population 818 people (117 household). 520 people dead during the storm. We donated rice bags 2 weeks for each household, temporary roofing plastic sheet 7' x 15' for each household & mosquito nets one for each household.

Kha Nauk - 416 people (93 household) left after storm from original population 761 people (115 household). 352 people dead during the storm. We donated rice bags 2 weeks for each household, temporary roofing plastic sheet 7' x 15' for each household & mosquito nets one for each household.

In the evening on 01 June (about 4 PM) arrived back from the villages to Laputta and returned to Yangon by bus. Arrived Yangon at 03 AM on 02 June.

Recorded by,

Thuza Khin & Thae Pye
Volunteers

This is page 10. To read earlier emails, click here.
There are now multiple pages of reports from Burma.
This is page one. Click below to go to other pages.
Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9.
Return to Home Page

These photos arrived with the report of June 30th.

This is page 10. To read earlier emails, click here.
There are now multiple pages of reports from Burma.
This is page one. Click below to go to other pages.
Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9.
Return to Home Page

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