YANGON – Cyclone-devastated Myanmar is not just the home of utter devastation. It is also the setting for solidarity and hope, affirmed the Archbishop of Yangon. Archbishop Charles Bo acknowledged that three weeks after the cyclone, “the people of Myanmar are still struggling to comes to terms with scale of the disaster.
“For those who survived in the affected Delta and Yangon regions, survival is a day-to-day struggle, with access to clean water, food, shelter and medical attention still limited,” he said. “In addition to this, the severe water logging, damage to paddy fields, the loss of tools, seed and animals will have a negative impact on rice production and food security for this vulnerable population.”
The relief effort in Myanmar has been hampered by the nation’s own government, which refused most outside help. After a recent meeting between the junta’s leaders and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, there is hope the situation might improve.
In this context, the 59-year-old archbishop affirmed: “The local response in Myanmar has been hugely important in these initial few weeks; however, resources and capacity have been stretched. Therefore, I welcome the recent announcement that the government will allow all aid workers into the country.
Archbishop Bo reiterated an earlier plea for continued support.
He explained, “There is still a lot to do to relieve the suffering of our people. Contrary to what government reports might be saying, the emergency relief phase is not over. Basic needs of hundreds and thousands of people still need to be met.”
Much of PIME’s presence is in the rural northern portions of the country. PIME is spearheading a drive to help provide relief to the areas affected by the cyclone. |
