Reference :
V-F-CR-F-02225-N(2)
Date :
11/2015
Title :
Myanmar : one hundred days after the floods, still important humanitarian needs for the most vulnerable
Duration :
00:05:17
Editor :
unknown
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Production company :
ICRC
ICRC producer :
CLEMENZO, Jean-Yves; WAITES, James Daniel; DUPOIZAT, Charles
Description :
Myanmar has experienced in August its worst natural disaster since cyclone Nargis in 2008. Torrential rains and the offshore approach of cyclone Komen caused devastating floods and landslides. The floods displaced almost 1.7 million people and took the lives of 132, according to the Myanmar government.
Three months later, humanitarian needs remain important. The most vulnerable people need to recover from this major natural disaster. It is important to continue to help, to give them means to feed their families in the middle term, for instance to provide them with employment opportunities and to rehabilitate infrastructures.
To do so, the Red Cross Movement, is currently conducting important projects of recovery in four states and regions, in particular in Rakhine State, one of the most affected part of the country. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have distributed so far food and essential items (hygiene products, kitchen sets, tarpaulins) to 60,000 people from both communities in Rakhine.
The Red Cross today continues to work hard to help communities, even the most remote villages, to recover. A major program is the cleansing of water ponds and wells to ensure that villages have clean drinking water.
Kyun Taw, a village of around 1000 inhabitants, cannot be reached by road. From Mrauk-U, the closest city, it is an hour car drive, then 30 minutes boat drive and 15 minutes walk across the forest and rice paddies. Its two wells have been badly contaminated and cannot be used. ICRC and Myanmar Red Cross staff are cleaning it. Normally, a well is cleaned in a few hours. This one takes a longer time.
“The mud is stuck at the bottom of the well. It has to be removed by mixing it with water. All the village is here to see this work and to get rid of the dirty water”, says Aung Hein, ICRC engineer. With a huge stick, Aung Hein manages to mix it with the water to let it flee.
Hygiene is also a crucial issue. Displacements or the consequences of floods highly increase the risks of getting infections and communicable diseases. To improve the situation, Myanmar Red Cross volunteers give a hygiene and health promotion session to the villagers. They share with them what they can do in order to avoid microbe transmissions.
“We have to do proper hand washing and we have to build proper toilet. Before eating, we have to clean our vegetables and fruits properly. It is important to follow what they said because it will improve our health”, says Augn So Myat, an old inhabitant.
The ICRC works hand in hand with the Myanmar Red Cross to help people to recover in Rakhine State. Its main office for Rakhine is in Sittwe.
"We are now planning a new intervention to support the livelihoods and create job opportunities for communities”, says Enrique Ochoa, ICRC head of sub-delegation in Sittwe.
A new phase of recovery project has just started for around 25,000 people in Rakhine. This plan will support the livelihoods and improve job opportunities with cash grants, for instance to purchase poultry, seeds, fertilizers, fishing material, winter crops or to start a small family business. Cash is also distributed for those who work in projects such as cleaning of public infrastructures, for instance roads and river sides. This will provide basic income for communities still badly affected by the August natural disaster.
English title :
Myanmar : one hundred days after the floods, still important humanitarian needs for the most vulnerable
Colour/B&W :
colour
SD/HD :
SD
Resolution :
720 x 576
Aspect ratio :
4/3
Original material/format :
Mpeg4
Best material/format available :
ProRes 422
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