Myanmar Flood Emergency Update

4^th August 2015

ABM has received the following, very detailed, update from our Partner in Myanmar, the Church in the Province of Myanmar (CPM).

Dear All,

Local villagers receiving emergency relief supplies in   Mandalay Diocese. ©CPM 2015

With the permission of our Archbishop [Stephen Than Myint Oo] we formed the Relief Committee in Provincial level on the date of 1st August 2015, to respond to the flood affected area. As you are aware according to the local news 11 States and Divisions are affected by flood very severely in some areas. Not only because of heavy rain, but also releasing from the dams. As you know many companies and NGOs are assisting in the relief work.  

We have informed all our Bishops to let us know about the situation of their areas. So far the Bishops of Myitkyina, Mandalay, Yangon and Sittwe are under process and no news from the two dioceses Toungoo and Hpa-an yet. But according to the local news some areas from the two dioceses are also affected.

The flood condition now in Myanmar is spread speedily and it is difficult to travel to the affected area. So we encourage the local dioceses to form a relief team for the implementation of the relief work. 

We also note that we need to be alert for the delta where most of our parishes are located. We expect that sooner or later all the water from upper levels will come into delta.

According to our contact from Sittwe Diocese, even in Paletwa where the diocesan office resides, they are surrounded by the water and no access to the area. It is difficult to get the rice in the Paletwa area now. So we advice them to find the way to come out with the Dio boat from the area and get rice from the near township. We will send funding to them equivalent to 50 bags of rice.

In Mandalay they are continuing their relief program in Shwe Bo Township in three areas. They will continue their relief work to other areas too. In Kalay Township one of the most severe area, we have our church members and most of the people are believers in Christ and Mandalay will continue the relief effort to that area too. According to our information there are so many teams to support for the relief work. But we have a plan to consider not only the emergency relief but also for the recovery and rehabilitation program after the emergency work.

At the moment some places are still under emergency while other places are receiving the supporting from different groups.  Mandalay diocese relief team is working together with the local government and assisting in relief work as the local authority appointed village. It is necessary to work in low profile and to co-operate together with the local authority. 

[The Church  has formed a CPM Disaster Management Committee at the provincial level which has met twice and 3 teams are now working to support groups and/or local committees currently being formed in the areas affected.]

The teams 1 and 2 will start working today. Team no. 3 will contact the Executive committee members and will work as needs occur.

We need your prayer support too.

Thank you for all your understanding and support.

 

With best regards,
San Lin (Peter) and Joy.

 

Peter San Lin and Joy Hla Gaw are responsible for the provincial development desk in Myanmar which has the oversight of managing the community development work of the church, with support from overseas partners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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