Doha: Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) has initiated an urgent relief programme for victims of heavy rains in Myanmar over the past few weeks, which have caused widespread floods and landslides.
Cyclone Komen, which made landfall in Bangladesh on July 30 after sitting off Western Myanmar for several days, brought intensified winds and heavy rains, leading to more floods and landslides in the west and north. Forty-eight people have died and over 178,000 have been affected.
Communications and transportation infrastructure has been damaged, and flood waters have not receded in many areas, making it difficult to access areas and information scarce.
According to forecasts, rains will continue for several more days and could result in further flooding. The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation said flooding had inundated nearly 400,000 acres of farmland and damaged another 103,000 acres.
QRC mobilised the emergency mobile hospital to offer emergency care to the inured. Tarpaulin sheets will be distributed to 1,600 families until the needs assessment is done and larger intervention plans are outlined.
Saleh bin Ali Al Mohannadi, Secretary-General, QRC, said, “We have been present in Myanmar since September 2012, and have a representative office to supervise our relief and development projects for communities affected by the three years of armed conflict.
“This has helped us take action promptly during the current disaster, without having to wait for entry visas, approvals and mobilisation of relief workers, among others.” He said QRC is the only Qatari and Arab organisation working in Myanmar and welcomed cooperation with any organisation in relief projects.
Thousands have been evacuated to higher ground and temporary sites, including monasteries and schools.
The population sheltering in temporary sites fluctuates as some return home to recover belongings and look after their livestock and fields. Contamination of water sources is an issue in many places, especially due to the dependence on community water ponds in many villages.
In Chin state, concerns over possible food shortages, especially in the city of Hakha, mean short-term assistance is vital, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
The Peninsula
