Local families help distribution effort as MAF delivers support to Myanmar’s capital.
MAF’s Disaster Response team have brought a truckload of essential supplies for hundreds of people in Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw and installed a filtration system to provide clean drinking water.
The effort, funded by the generosity of MAF supporters, is part of the response to the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that caused widespread destruction in Myanmar, and neighbouring Thailand, leaving more than 3000 people dead and around 5000 injured.
MAF Director of Global Disaster Response Rick Emenaker, Country Director for Myanmar Chad Tilley and engineer Terry Fahey joined MAF’s General Manager in Myanmar Deeram Khong for the drive from Yangon to Naypyidaw with supplies and equipment.
They got to work quickly, installing a fresh water filtration system that will help around 1000 people to access clean water.
The team is also distributing hundreds of food packs for families in need.
“They were very thankful and the community pitched in straight away to help us organise this stuff,” Rick said.
In Naypyidaw, families are having to sleep away from their homes due to the damage caused by the earthquake.
One woman said: “We lost almost everything that we possess. Some managed to retrieve a few items from the rubble by the help of rescue teams. I'm now living with a few clothes in temporary shelter at a monastery.
“We are grateful for what we are receiving from MAF.”
Chad said the team were impressed by the resilience of the community and their enthusiasm to work with MAF.
“We were preparing the packages with volunteers to distribute to roughly 300 families,” he said.
“A local monastery allowed us to store all the supplies and be used as a distribution centre, and we were able to thank them for their involvement.
“Some of the ladies were doing quality control - going through each bag letting us know if the supply line has missed anything – it was pretty cool coordination.”
Terry, an experienced surveyor and engineer, was shocked by the impact of this natural disaster.
"I have been in numerous earthquakes but have never seen one which has caused such interesting damage. It as if the ground separated for 300km. Bridges shifted, roads cracked in half, buildings collapsed, and the water table reportedly shifted leaving aquifers empty,” he said.
“I think once we get monsoon rains, we will begin to see the full extent of the rifts created by the earthquake. Now there are cracks, but they look like they will get bigger and larger sections of roads, etc will fall in.”