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LRC local partner distributing supplies to cyclone survivors ,July 2008.
Delivery of personal hygiene kits to Armakhan village in the Bogale Township, November 2008.
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Introduction to psychosocial principles workshop,Yangon (July 08)
The Impact of the Cyclone
The Cyclone that struck Burma (Myanmar) on 3 May, 2008 was the worst natural disaster in Myanmar history. An estimated 130,000 people lost their lives, thousands more were injured, and over 2.4 million were displaced. The cyclone’s impact was immense and led to the destruction of agriculture and infrastructure across the region.
One Year Later…
Although local and international organisations have been able to deliver humanitarian aid, communities continue to struggle. Some villages have still not received adequate aid, while health systems struggle to meet the needs of the population.
The focus has now shifted towards the medium-term recovery and the re-establishment of safe and sustainable lives and livelihoods.
Burnet’s Cyclone Nargis Response
The Burnet Institute Myanmar specialises in developing the capacity of local organisations to deliver health services. As such, our response was based on this strength. Since May 2008, we have been delivering health-related assistance in partnership with other local and international Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) through two major projects:
Local Resource Centre (LRC)
Local organisations were pivotal in the initial response and continue to play a crucial role in responding to the crisis. The LRC has provided information, training, and resources to assist local organisations and groups to respond to the cyclone since May 2008.
Achievements to date:
- Over 260 civil society organisations have received assistance from the LRC
- 230 project proposals targeting 300,000 people have been facilitated by the LRC
- 38 training programs have been run for over 820 local participants
- Regional presence in Bogale, Myaungmya/Labutta, Pyarpon and Mawlamyinegyun
- Successful advocacy, representation and advocacy on behalf of local organisations
The LRC is a joint initiative of the Burnet Institute, Capacity Building Initiative (CBI), The Alliance, World Concern, OXFAM and Save the Children.
“The empowerment of civil society is a big change since Nargis. The political landscape is changing. The cyclone has really helped connect civil society and community-base organisations.” *
*‘Comments from interviewees, Yangon, November 2008’
Report: Listening to Voices from Inside: Myanmar Civil Society’s Response to Cyclone Nargis
Integrated Psychosocial, Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Post-Cyclone Nargis Relief and Recovery Responses
The emotional and psychological impact of the cyclone cannot be captured in simple words.Burnet, along with Marie Stopes International and the Antares Foundation Australia, has been training local aid workers in:
- Psychological ‘first aid’
- HIV responses in emergencies
- Gender-based violence
with the aim to strengthen the ability of organisations to integrate psychosocial and sexual and reproductive health interventions into relief activities.
Burnet and Marie Stopes staff delivered much-needed personal hygiene kits, safe delivery kits, baby blankets, and dignity kits to households in the Delta. In conjunction with these deliveries, Marie Stopes was able to offer comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services through their fixed and mobile clinics.Achievements to date:
- 10,000 Personal hygiene and 5000 Dignity kits delivered
- 2,000 safe delivery kits, and 1,000 baby napkins were distributed to women and traditional birth attendants in the Delta
- 36 training workshops were conducted for over 800 local participants
- Over 26,000 consultations for sexual and reproductive health services were provided by Marie Stopes International, Myanmar
- Burnet Institute partners (local NGOs) provided an additional 11,100 consultations for support and HIV information.
Both projects have been generously supported and funded by AusAID and individual private donations; the LRC has received further financial support from a range of additional donors, both private and institutional.
Without this support – our work in Myanmar would not be possible.
To support the ongoing work of the Burnet Institute in Myanmar, click here, or please mail a cheque (money order) made out to: Burnet Institute, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria Australia 3001.