Cyclone

Survivors of Cyclone Giri, which left more than a quarter of a million people homeless when it struck western Burma's Arakan State coast last October, say that many are still struggling with problems related to shelter, livelihood and employment six months after the disaster.
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On Oct. 22 last year, Cyclone Giri, which formed over the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean, swept across the west coast of Burma, dealing a devastating blow to Myebon, Minbya, Pauktaw, Ponnakyun, Kyaukpru, Marn Aung and Ramree townships.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), an estimated 104,000 people out of approximately 260,000 affected by the disaster are still living with host families in the worst-affected townships. Key challenges facing the affected communities include inadequate shelter, damaged crops and embankments, food insecurity and indebtedness due to loss of income opportunities, UNOCHA said in its Post-Giri Consolidated Action Plan, issued in February.

People in the affected communities told The Irrawaddy that while facing these challenges, they are also concerned about the future of the region's fishery, an important source of income for their survival, because they have heard that the new state government plans to auction off fishing rights.

“Whoever wins the auction will take over the sea and those who make a living catching fish will no longer be able to do so,” said a resident of Pauktaw Township.

A state government minister said, however, that those who catch fish for living will continue to have an opportunity to do so.

“It is true that we will auction fishing rights in the state, but we are looking at ways to ensure that local people will still be able to fish as a means of supporting themselves. We will be fair to everyone in accordance with the law,” said the minister.

Just as many fishermen have lost their boats and fishing equipment, many farmers are also empty-handed. They say they have neither rice to eat nor seeds to sow next season.

The UNOCHA report said 90 percent of all rice fields have been damaged in Myebon and people are struggling to make ends meet and rebuild their livelihoods.

It also said that as of early January, approximately US $22 million had been allocated for the Cyclone Giri response, and that as of February, additional assistance of approximately $51.2 million was needed for the early- and medium-term recovery activities planned by UN agencies and international nongovernmental organizations in Burma. thank