International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Search :

News
News Home
News Stories
Press Releases
Speeches
Opinion Pieces
Audio & Video
Myanmar: Voices from the field: “I will return tomorrow.”
29 May 2008
In his final report from Yangon, Japanese Red Cross delegate Masanao Mori speaks with an experienced Myanmar Red Cross volunteer who has returned to Yangon at the end of his second five day visit to Bogale, one of the areas worst hit by Cyclone Nargis.
“Last time, I could not reach many villages. So, this time, I took a boat from Bogale town with four other Red Cross volunteers and traveled south, near to the sea,” explains the Myanmar Red Cross volunteer. “I left Bogale town at 2 PM and it took me 11 hours to reach the destination.”

As his team was traveling to the remote area, they carried with them their own supplies as well as relief items for affected people. These supplies included 1,000 tarpaulins, 500 family kit and 500 hygiene kits.

In one village, his team distributed relief items and helped local people to put tarpaulins on the roof. “Finally, after three weeks, these people have a roof on their houses. But still, people need more aid.”

He was especially proud of the hard work of his team and of countless other Myanmar Red Cross volunteers.

“They are from Bogale town, which means that they were also affected. Although they are young, I think they all understand the true meaning of humanity by heart.”

When I asked if he is going back to Bogale again, perhaps next week, he instantly answered: “No,” before adding quickly: “Tomorrow.”

“This time, I will go back to Bogale with 60 Red Cross volunteers who are being deployed from our country’s north. The volunteers will provide much needed support to those already working in the area allowing them to take a short rest, after working three weeks continuously since the cyclone hit.

“They will be involved in distributing relief items, helping people rebuild their houses, providing first aid, and anything they can do to help people in need. I am sure that all of them will do a great job.”
Many families in the delta have faced more than three weeks without even basic shelter, something that can significantly increase the risk of illness and disease. (p17712)
Many families in the delta have faced more than three weeks without even basic shelter, something that can significantly increase the risk of illness and disease. (p17712)
RELATED LINKS
Myanmar - Cyclone Nargis
More news stories
“Finally, after three weeks, these people have a roof on their houses.” Teams of Myanmar Red Cross volunteers are active throughout the Irrawaddy delta, distributing things like tarpaulins that afford affected communities some shelter from the monsoon season. (p17713)
“Finally, after three weeks, these people have a roof on their houses.” Teams of Myanmar Red Cross volunteers are active throughout the Irrawaddy delta, distributing things like tarpaulins that afford affected communities some shelter from the monsoon season. (p17713)