Cyclone Strikes Myanmar

Fr. Bernie U Mya Thein, MS wrote from Myanmar about the recovery people are making after that terrible cyclone that struck the country last year.

The Myanmar government refused most outside help in dealing with the aftermath of cyclone Nagris. The little emergency aid that was officially accepted had to go through government channels so that, in the people’s eyes, it appeared that all came directly from the government. Because of the volume of help needed, the government was finally forced to allow Buddhist monasteries to become centers of relief. What relief we could bring had to be done privately.

After a few months the government declared that no more emergency help was necessary. It asked, however, for help in the reconstruction stage. To rebuild after a big storm like Nargis was a tremendous task. Even though the major catastrophe, predicted by many, did not eventually happen; even though whole villages were wiped out; even though whole sections of land were submerged under sea water; even though, basic necessities were mostly unavailable, God took care of his children.

In many areas people used nearby ponds as reservoirs for drinking water. But after the storm, potable water was scarce because these open ponds were filled with all kinds of debris – including corpses of people and animals. Even though they suffered from many diseases, many more people than expected survived.

The most urgent need after the storm was to help farmers plough and plant rice as soon as possible. It was planting season and time could not be wasted. Many farmers tried to sell a part of their fields to finance planting in what was left. This, dear readers, is where you came in. Even though the needs were great for practically everyone, help was given – not to all but to some we could reach – help to buy seeds, fuel, insecticide, fertilizers. Your help made it possible for some to keep their fields, plant them and produce a bit of a harvest. Harvested rice still needs to be trashed, winnowed and milled. Soon this life-giving staple will get into the pots and onto the plates of this hard working people. In the name of these people who will be able to have some rice to eat this coming year please accept our thanks.

Because of inundated sea water that soaked many fields – especially in areas where they were submerged for many days – rice plants grew but yielded practically nothing at all. The seeds promised by the government arrived very late and were not very good quality.

Thanks to you, because of the relief you sent, some farmers were able to buy quality seeds, plough their fields, use insecticides, fertilize those fields and hire people to do urgent work. Since many of the orphans and poor children are in the effected areas plans have been made to supply three such centers with polished rice or paddy. This will enable the Brothers and Sisters to continue taking care of the children.  May God bless you all for your great generosity!