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60,000 saved: How one church leader helped mobilize communities to survive the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis
A CWS-supported emergency team coordinates with survivors on local needs.
Photo: CWS-ACT
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by Stacey Winston/CWS
Names have not been used to protect people's identities
Bangkok -- Long before Cyclone Nargis struck the Irrawaddy Delta coastal region of Myanmar (Burma), churches were active in helping local communities, so when the cyclone came roaring ashore, the family of faith mobilized into action providing immediate relief.
Among the many heroes in the cyclone response is an unassuming pastor who coordinates the relief effort among churches throughout the cyclone affected areas. The reverend recently shared his experience in responding to the unimaginable devastation that has changed his country for years to come and has severely affected 2.4 million people, according to the United Nations.
"After the cyclone, we were shocked," he explains. "People organized boats and cars to bring people to safety -- to assist 60,000 people in the first week -- with our goal to help as many people as possible."
Church World Service (CWS) has been working through partnerships in Burma since 1959. Alongside local partners, including those with whom the pastor supports, a massive relief effort is well underway with coordination through the CWS Asia Pacific Regional Office and Action by Churches Together International alliance (ACT).
Providing hope and help amidst immense challenges
Speaking from 28 years of affiliation with CWS, the reverend said, "Churches (in Burma) provide support in a non-discriminatory way – this is the witness of the church," said the reverend.
The churches in Yangon and the Irrawaddy Delta are living out this witness by working together to provide clean water (through purification tablets and well cleaning), food, shelter, health care (including medical teams of doctors and nurses), clothing, blankets and basic items to cyclone affected families. The church is doing this in various ways, one being by transforming the church buildings into temporary family shelters -- 21 in total. The reverend described, "In all the places where the churches are providing assistance, the food is fresh -- they are cooking and providing the fresh food everyday."
In addition to providing for the physical needs for survival, the church communities are addressing the emotional pain caused by the cyclone by organizing teams of 20-30 students to provide psychosocial support and trauma management for people living in displacement camps. "The first response of the people is just to survive," said the reverend, "Now over two weeks later, they are fearful." To illustrate this reaction he described, "One lady I visited would not go outside when the rains started -- she said 'just let me stay inside, I don't want to see the rain.'"
Critical aid still needed
Three weeks on, the UN and aid agencies are urging additional aid, with UN and media reporting that only 25 percent of the cyclone affected population is being helped.
"There are still many places where the victims are not being reached and assistance for survival is needed," expressed the reverend. "Through our churches we try to reach everyone even in the remotest areas -- by sending out goods, rice, medicines and conducting assessments."
The reverend noted that 90 percent of the affected people are farmers and fisherman. Similar to what aid agencies have reported, he claims, "the most important thing is for people to plant their harvest…the greatest needs are seeds and animals for their livelihoods."
The long road to recovery
"We need a more concrete plan for rehabilitation," the reverend said, and he estimates it will take at least two years for the recovery process. Children need schools and buildings need roofs.
The churches have been managing to provide for the cyclone affected families who need help, but the relief is not sustainable without international support. The reverend stated, "I can honestly say if we don't receive contributions during the first few weeks from our churches, then we could run out of supplies because we pool these contributions and buy (goods) for the people."
Working diligently to liaise with the government on behalf of the churches for this cyclone response, the church network is strengthened and aid has been able to reach the most vulnerable communities.
Contributions to CWS Cyclone Nargis response may be made by telephone at (800) 297-1516; by mailing a check to Church World Service, 28606 Phillips Street, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515; or through secure online contribution at: www.myanmarrecovery.org
Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;
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