Flooding in Burma/Myanmar
Individual Documents
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"Nearly half country below poverty line In the past six years the est. percentage of population living below the national poverty line, set at 1,590 MMK/Day (approx. 0.75 USD/Day), almost doubled, from the 24.8% of 2017 to the 49.7% of 2023, nearly half of Myanmar’s population (UNDP, 2024). In the same period, reduced labor productivity, lack of labor demand and high inflation, caused workers' earnings to decline by 15 percent in real terms (World Bank Myanmar Economic Monitor). As result of the combination of these factors, the estimated national median income per capita in 2023 was only 75,000 MMK per month (approx. 35 USD), which in rural areas is further reduced of an average 24%..."
Source/publisher:
MA-UK Myanmar via Reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication:
2024-04-17
Date of entry/update:
2024-04-17
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"Summary of crisis:
It has been two-and-a-half years since the Myanmar military staged a takeover and established themselves in power, officially as the State Administration Council (SAC). The country has since been in a state of emergency, extended again for six months on 31 July 2023. Mass protests against the armed forces started immediately after the takeover, with a wider, peaceful civil disobedience movement, including the health sector.
The protest grew into organized armed resistance with escalation in fighting across the country. This resulted in massive displacement across Myanmar and an unprecedented political, socioeconomic, human rights and humanitarian crisis for the population. The Emergency Relief Coordinator activated the countrywide health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), shelter/non-food items (NFI), education, food security, nutrition and protection clusters on 21 August 2021.
Twenty-five million people are estimated to be living in poverty because of the political situation and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic. We see a reversal of many of the development gains made in the 2010s and early 2020s.
The conflict continues, escalating across multiple states and regions in Myanmar, particularly in the North-west and the South-east, leaving people displaced and in severe humanitarian needs, with no signs of abating.
The countrywide humanitarian crisis occurred against a backdrop of long-standing communal conflicts in Rakhine,
Kachin and Northern Shan, which had prompted the Emergency Relief Coordinator to activate the health, WASH and shelter/NFI clusters on 15 January 2013 in Rakhine and Kachin. The protracted emergency between Rakhine ethnic groups and self-identified Rohingya populations commenced in June 2012, with acute exacerbation in October 2016 and August 2017. The protracted emergency due to communal conflicts between the Myanmar Military and ethnic armed organizations in Kachin had recurred between mid-2011 and mid-2018, following a 17-year ceasefire. While there were fewer incidents of armed clashes after 2018, these recurred following the 2021 military takeover and continued in 2022 and 2023. The protracted emergency due to communal conflicts between the Myanmar Military and ethnic armed organizations started in Northern Shan in mid-2011, and resulted in massive internal displacements in September 2019, and following the military takeover in June 2021 and December 2022.
Forced military recruitment remains a major concern in Northern Shan.
Already in dire need of humanitarian assistance, an estimated 1.6 million people across five states and regions of Myanmar bore the brunt of the extremely severe Cyclone Mocha, which crossed the coast near Sittwe in Rakhine at mid-day on 14 May 2023. With winds reaching 190–250 km/hour, Mocha was one of the fiercest cyclones the country had ever faced. It brought heavy rains, floods, winds and tidal surge, reaching 5–7 feet, across the coast and low-lying areas in Rakhine. It continued further inland, affecting Chin, Magway, Sagaing and Kachin. The latest field observations show that at least 52 townships have been affected across Rakhine, Chin, Magway, Sagaing and Kachin; 135 467 houses, 1452 schools, 315 health facilities and 75 297 latrines have been impacted on the sites of observations. Of the 315 health facilities affected, 151 were situated in villages and 52 at internally displaced persons (IDP) camp/site clinics.
Myanmar occupies the highest rank in the INFORM Risk Index for hazard and exposure, scoring 9.2/10. The country scores 10/10 for hazards and exposure to human conflict, and has a vulnerability score of 5.5/10, with development, deprivation and inequality being the gravest concerns. It has a score of 6.1/10 for lack of coping capacity, which is largely institutional. The country ranks 16th on the INFORM risk list because of high hazard and exposure, vulnerability and lack of coping capacity (ACAPS, 2023).
While the economic condition in the country has stabilized in the first half of 2023, with most indicators suggesting slowly increasing economic activity, the Myanmar economy is still operating well below pre-pandemic levels, in sharp contrast to the rest of the WHO South-East Asia Region. Several factors are constraining the pace of recovery: household incomes remain weak, limiting the ability of domestic demand to drive growth; high prices and shortages resulting from import restrictions make it difficult for many businesses to source essential inputs; power outages have become prominent; and investment remains weak, with new business registrations at a low level. Overall, GDP is projected to increase by 3% by September 2023, still around 10% lower than that in 2019. The absence of a more pronounced rebound is indicative of the severe supply and demand constraints that continue to limit economic activity (World Bank, 2023). Further information about the political, socioeconomic and security context in Myanmar can be found in the Myanmar Humanitarian Need Overview (HNO) 2023- https://data.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/90298
Finally, Myanmar presents unique geographical conditions with 2.9 million people living in 49 townships that are defined as hard-to-reach and hardest-to-reach, according to road accessibility across seasons. Particularly since February 2021, these townships, associated with the conflict-affected ones, are facing large disparities in terms of access to health care, delivery of medicines and medical devices, and referrals to specialized care..."
Source/publisher:
Health Cluster and World Health Organization via Reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication:
2024-01-09
Date of entry/update:
2024-01-09
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"Myanmar Mangroves: between conflict and cyclones
Mangroves account for only 0.7 per cent of the Earth's tropical forest area, but they provide a wealth of ecological and socio-economic benefits: nursery habitat for fish species, offering protection against coastal surges associated with storms and tsunamis, and storing carbon Despite their high productivity in providing ecosystem services, over the 20-year period, more than 60 per cent of all mangroves in Myanmar had been permanently or temporarily converted to other uses and in just across Rakhine State, mangrove coverage shrank by 23% from 2000 to 2015.
In the 2021 Global Climate Risk Index, out of 183 countries Myanmar is ranked the second most vulnerable to extreme weather events.
Conflict and natural resources
Since a military coup in 2021, conflict, extractive activities and war economies are impacting the natural environment of Myanmar and placing communities at further risk of displacement and food shortages. The exploitation of mangroves ecosystem and other natural resources as effect of the conflict are actively reducing local people’s capacity to adapt to the frequent natural hazards, cyclones, floods and long term impacts of climate change, threatening civil society’s peaceful cohesion.
Implementation of best practices and regulatory and environmental oversight mechanisms is limited, leaving communities with the negative outcomes of extractive activities impacting their land rights, local environment and livelihoods.
Cyclones and mangroves ecosystem: 50 years of data
The fifty years of data on cyclone tracks impacting the Myanmar coastline show how healthy mangrove forests are the key asset in reducing the force of waves because of the resistance provided by stilt roots as well as the trees' trunks and branches. Mangroves also trap and stabilize sediment and reduce the risk of shoreline erosion - which brings waves closer to habitation
by dissipating surface wave energy. Coastal forests can also act as windbreaks in reducing devastation in coastal communities resulting from cyclones..."
Source/publisher:
MA-UK Myanmar via Reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication:
2024-01-03
Date of entry/update:
2024-01-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Natural Disasters - General, Climate Change - Burma/Myanmar: general
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"Population in Mangroves ecosystem and climate change
Myanmar is considered one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and sea level rise Myanmar coastline consists of large low-lying areas, including the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, where sea level rise projections would translate into increases in permanently flooded areas as well as increased frequency and magnitude of flooding Sea level rise causes saltwater intrusion and flooding of agricultural land and ultimately threatens the livelihoods of farm households The projected increase in sea levels is likely to carry flooding further inland in the future, resulting in even greater impacts: a 0.5 meter rise in sea levels could lead to a retreat of the coastline by approximately 10 kilometers in Myanmar’s lowest lying areas (NAPA, 2012)
The most productive rain-fed farming areas and the rice-growing areas are not well protected against periodic saltwater intrusion during the monsoon periods. Therefore, flooding and saltwater intrusion, along with the rise in sea level, are becoming the main challenge for the farming communities in this zone..."
Source/publisher:
MA-UK Myanmar via Reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication:
2024-01-03
Date of entry/update:
2024-01-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Natural Disasters - General, Mangrove swamps of Burma/Myanmar - general studies and articles
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"Financial Cost of Natural Hazards
Myanmar’s economic and social vulnerabbility to disasters is the highest in the ASEAN region. The annual expected loss due to natural hazards as a percentage of GDP in Myanmar is 0.9 percent, compared to 0.8 percent (the Philippines and Vietnam) and 0.7 percent (Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Cambodia) for the next four most vulnerable countries. Rural vulnerability is a particular concern in Myanmar since around 70 percent of the country’s 51 million people reside in rural areas, and the subsistence agriculture they depend on for their livelihoods is increasingly subject to natural hazards such as floods and drought Over the past 25 years, Myanmar has suffered 24 major disaster events - earthquakes, floods, and storms - affecting more than 4 million people and causing US$4.7 billion in damages, with the devastating Cyclone Nargis alone leading to the death of over 138,000 people in 2008.
Disasters drain government resources: the country on average experiences losses equivalent to 0.9 percent of GDP due to natural disasters every year, with a fiscal burden arising as a consequence of natural disasters is estimated to be 2.5 percent of annual government expenditure, which is the greatest in the ASEAN region.
As example, the Ministry of Construction estimated that the government spends US$10–20 million on road rehabilitation after floods and landslides every year. Of total annual economic losses from natural disasters, on average 89 percent are attributed to storms and 11 percent to earthquakes.
Myanmar could face annual average costs for emergency response of US$9 million, and there is a 3.3 percent probability (corresponding to a 1-in-30-year event) that the annual cost of emergency response could exceed US$56 million.
Risk Index INFORM
Since 2019, the Government of Myanmar has adopted the INFORM Risk Methodology and Index.
UNOOCHA led the development of the Myanmar sub-national INFORM Index working with multiple stakeholders who validated the index at a workshop in Nay Pyi Taw on 9 October 2018.
The INFORM model presented at township level (Adm. 3) is being used to support the planning for Myanmar Government, development, peace and humanitarian actors. It is currently used for the Myanmar Humanitarian Programme Cycle and coordinated preparedness actions, managing risk and building resilience across the country..."
Source/publisher:
MA-UK Myanmar via Reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication:
2024-01-03
Date of entry/update:
2024-01-03
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Individual Documents
Category:
Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Natural Disasters - General, Climate Change - Burma/Myanmar: general
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"Estimating settlements exposure to flood risk:
Floods in Myanmar occur during the monsoon months in May/June to September/October and include wide spread flood along the major hydrological network and and flash flood at the small rivers and stream.
The main cause of wide spread flood is heavy rainfall striking at the head water regime for considerable period (1 to 3 days), the flood wave forming at the head water started to move downward and causing flood along the river up to the deltaic area.
The flash flood is caused by heavy rainfall fell on the source and the flood wave move downward swiftly. Observation shows that the percentage of occurrence of floods (exceeding danger level) in medium and large rivers of Myanmar are 6% in June, 23% in July, 49% in August, 14% in September and 8% in October..."
Source/publisher:
MA-UK Myanmar via Reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication:
2024-01-03
Date of entry/update:
2024-01-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Natural Disasters - General, Climate Change - Burma/Myanmar: general
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"HIGHLIGHTS
January: The Myanmar Humanitarian Response Plan 2023 was published on 25 January. We estimated10 M people in need for health assistance of which 23% targeted in the displaced, returned, stateless and other crisis affected population groups.
February: Partners were trained on the updated 4W/5W (Who, What, Where, When, Whom)
March: The Preparedness and Response technical working group established emergency scenarios and minimal pre-positioning medicine and medical supplies for the monsoon. March was also the month for repoting: 375K people were reached by the Health Cluster.
April & May: Northeast, Northwest, Rakhine and Southeast dis-cussed monsoon risks using the WHO Strategic Toolkit for Assessing Risks (STAR) such as floods, landslides, outbreaks, along with the risks of conflicts. On 11-12 May, a Cholera Readiness workshop was con-ducted with over 90 participants.
14 May & June: We remember the extremely severe Cyclone Mo-cha which crossed the coast on 14 May 2023 affecting people in Rakhine, Northwest and Kachin causing extensive devastation leav-ing hundred of thousands crisis-affected people without shelter as the monsoon was approaching.
June: June was the mid-year reporting. Health partners have reached more than 558K people in need. The details informa-tion is illustrated in this bulletin.
The Cluster will continue responding to its mission of collectively preparing for and responding to humanitarian and public health emergencies to improve the health outcomes of affected populations through timely, predictable, appropriate and effective coordinated health action..."
Source/publisher:
Health Cluster, World Health Organization
Date of publication:
2023-11-02
Date of entry/update:
2023-11-02
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1.97 MB
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"OVERVIEW: According to DMH Myanmar, Tropical Cyclone (TC) HAMOON has moved Northeastwards and now lies over Northwest of Bay of Bengal and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. TC HAMOON was located near 19.3N, 88.4E, approximately 482 km West-Southwest of Sittwe, Myanmar.
STRENGTH: According to the ASEAN DMRS, TC HAMOON, currently equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane (on the Saffir-Simpson scale), with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h, and wind gusts up to 157 km/h.
DMH CYCLONE COLOR STAGE: The present stage of TC HAMOON is coded Yellow stage (DMH). Yellow color STAGE means a storm is formed but it not moving towards Myanmar Coast.
FORECAST:
According to DMH Myanmar, TC HAMOON is likely continue to move North-Northeastwards.
TC HAMOON is likely to cross Bangladesh coast during next 36 hrs (DMH).
According to the global forecast model, TC HAMOON is expected to make landfall within the next 19 hours, along the shores of Bangladesh, with sustained winds of about 74 km/h.
HAZARDS:
According to DMH Myanmar, there will widespread rain or thunderstorms over Chin and Rakhine; scattered to fairly widespread over Naypyitaw, Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, and Shan; and isolated heavy rainfall in some Regions and States.
According to the ASEAN DMRS, at most breaking of tree branches and swaying of small to large trees (TAOS) over Rakhine (Maungdaw, Sittwe, Kyauktaw, and Mrauk-U) and Chin (Mindat, Hakha, and Falam).
According to the ASEAN DMRS, at most 228.9 – 304.8 mm of Tropical Cyclone-associated rainfall is possible over Rakhine, Chin, and Magway.
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE:
DDM has disseminated the alert to Rakhine Authorities for the potential impacts of Tropical Cyclone HAMOON to Myanmar particularly to Rakhine State.
Following the alert, the Rakhine Authorities are already on standby and have conducted several preparedness actions in anticipation of the potential impacts of Tropical Cyclone HAMOON (DDM).
The AHA Centre will continue to monitor for further developments and issue necessary updates.
DATA SOURCES:
ASEAN Disaster Monitoring & Response System (DMRS);
Myanmar: DDM, DMH;
Verified news media agencies..."
Source/publisher:
ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance
Date of publication:
2023-10-24
Date of entry/update:
2023-10-24
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"What happened, where and when?
Since 4 October 2023, the Myanmar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) has been issuing flood advisory warnings and weather system alerts for the water levels of major rivers. From 5 to 9 October, heavy rainfall in the late monsoon season triggered extensive flooding in southern Myanmar.
On 9 October, DMH stated that Bago township experienced an unprecedented 7.87 inches (200 millimeters) of rainfall, the highest recorded in 59 years. On 10 October, the Bago River water level reached 4 feet above the danger level which caused widespread flooding in urban and suburban areas. The impact of this flooding has been significant. It has affected families and croplands and led to the displacement of people in areas from Bago City and Yangon, including the townships of Taik Kyi, Hlegu, and Hmawbi. Currently, there is limited first-hand data on needs and sectors relating to the requirements of the affected population due to the current country's complexity. However, food, water, basic household needs, hygiene, and sanitation are immediate needs by looking at current flood impact, pre-existing vulnerabilities, and complexity of the country as well as a request from MRCS regional branches.
Similarly, on 12 October, water was discharged from the Se Taw Gyi dam located in Madaya township within the Mandalay region. This discharge followed a period of heavy rainfall, which led to the unexpected flooding of several villages in central Myanmar's Mandalay region. According to reports more than 30,000 people were compelled to evacuate their homes, leaving their possessions behind.
The excessive rainfall also resulted in the inundation of the main roads in the Mandalay area. In the neighborhoods of the Myothit wards, Payantaw, and Nadi creeks, water levels surged, causing homes to be inundated..."
Source/publisher:
International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (Geneva) via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication:
2023-10-22
Date of entry/update:
2023-10-22
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"The majority of the population in Myanmar relies on farming as their primary source of livelihood. However, decades of armed conflict, other violence and natural disasters have destroyed farmland and forced people to flee their homes.
Given the protracted consequences, the need for humanitarian assistance in the region is greater than ever before.
Since 2017, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been helping local farmers in Myanmar by giving them seed to grow staple crops, farming tools and organic fertilizers to improve agricultural productivity. We have also been organizing training programmes to build the capacities of the famers and develop sustainable means of livelihood.
"Our teams in Myanmar distributed seed, farm tools and fertilizers to over 92,728 people from January to June 2023."
Kachin State
In Kachin we distributed paddy seed and organic fertilizers to over 1,500 families in Myitkyina, Waingmaw, Hpakant, Mogaung and Mansi townships.
"The past years have been very tough for me and my family. Ensuring that we have enough to eat has not been easy," says U Dan Htawng, a father of four children, who is currently living in a camp for displaced people in Hpakant township. "I believe the ICRC's support will help us get back on our feet this year," he adds.
Rakhine State
Over the past months, our teams in Rakhine distributed paddy and vegetable seeds to 13,884 families who were most affected by Cyclone Mocha and had to rebuild their lives in Mrauk-U, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Pauktaw, Minbya, Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships.
"My house was damaged by the cyclone. Our crops were also destroyed, and we were concerned about further losses during the planting season," says U Win Maung, a farmer from Yoe Ta Yote village.
Many families also struggled to buy seed because of the rising cost of living. "Now that the ICRC is providing paddy seed in time for the monsoon, we can go back to our farms and start cultivating," says Zakariya, from Myo Thu Gyi village in Maungdaw.
Shan State
"Part of our work in Myanmar involves helping the most vulnerable families to meet their basic nutrition needs during emergency situations and to be able to support themselves in the long term," explains Martin Samtan, an ICRC staff member from Lashio.
During the monsoon when it's time to plant, our team in Lashio distributed paddy seed and groundnuts to over 1,250 families across Kutkai, Lashio, Namtu, Namhkam townships in northern Shan State.
"Through this support, the community will be able to provide for itself and continue farming for a sustainable livelihood." Martin Samtan
Families can now earn an income from their own farms as well as consume better quality food..."
Source/publisher:
International Committee of the Red Cross
Date of publication:
2023-10-17
Date of entry/update:
2023-10-17
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Agriculture in Burma/Myanmar: general and research, Cyclones - regional
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Sub-title:
Locals say they were forced to evacuate overnight.
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"More than 30,000 residents were forced to leave their homes and belongings behind in Myanmar’s southern Mandalay region after their villages were unexpectedly flooded.
While parts of Madaya township face yearly flooding from the nearby Ayeyarwady River, residents told Radio Free Asia that this year’s quickly rising water levels came as a surprise.
After continuous rain that began on Tuesday, local officials released excess water from Se Taw Gyi dam without alerting residents.
“The villages that are flooded every year are now facing severe flooding from both the river and the dam. Even the villages where water does not normally reach are flooded now,” said a relief worker from Myanmar Rescue Madaya who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals.
“We are helping from village to village and anti-regime defense forces are also helping. But relief is weak.”
Residents evacuated on the night of Oct. 12 into Wednesday morning, a local of Tha Pyay Chaung village told RFA.
“There are many villages that are flooded. Villages that were not normally flooded [before] are flooded now. In the past, they [officials] used to inform the people by letter when they were about to release water from the dam,” said the local.
“People are facing trouble now because they were not informed. The water went up to five feet (1.5 meters) in the house last night and we had to leave behind our belongings that we could not take.”
The affected villages also include Inn Ta Khar, Waw Su, Wun Su, Oke Taik, Oke Set, Pan Kan Su and Ah Htet Taung Kaing villages.
The resident said victims’ livestock are also being relocated to higher ground.
In flooded rural areas where antivenom can be scarce, he added that displaced victims were particularly concerned about being bitten by poisonous snakes common in the country’s dry zone.
RFA called Thein Htay, Mandalay region’s economic minister and junta council spokesman, seeking comment on flooding in Madaya township, but he did not respond on Friday.
Madaya township faced similar flooding in 2017 from Se Taw Gyi dam.
Floods from heavy rain have also been affecting areas of Bago division, northern Shan and Mon states due to rising water levels in rivers since the second week of October..."
Source/publisher:
"Radio Free Asia" (USA)
Date of publication:
2023-10-13
Date of entry/update:
2023-10-13
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Dams and other hydropower projects (global, regional), Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Natural Disasters - General
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"Heavy rainfall has been causing floods in southern Myanmar, in particular in Bago and Yangon regions and Mon State, since 8 October. The overflowing of the Bago River has resulted in both casualties and damage.
According to media reports, as of 11 October, there have been five fatalities and 35 people have been injured. Some 27,300 people are reported to have been displaced, including people who had already been displaced and were staying across 47 relief camps. About 2, 800 houses have been damaged.
Very heavy rainfall is forecast over the whole of Myanmar over the next 48 hours, making more flooding possible..."
Source/publisher:
European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
Date of publication:
2023-10-11
Date of entry/update:
2023-10-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Natural Disasters - General, Climate Change - Burma/Myanmar: general
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"Although water levels have fallen in Bago Region after four days of flooding, nearly 30,000 residents are still sheltering in relief camps and urgently need assistance, according to relief volunteers.
On Tuesday, the military regime announced that more than 27,000 flood victims in Bago had entered 47 relief camps since Saturday (October 7).
More heavy rain was forecast for Bago on Wednesday and Thursday.
Flood levels in low-lying areas initially rose above 1.5 meters but had fallen to 0.9 meters on Wednesday. A local volunteer said Bago City’s west side was still submerged but floodwater had receded from other urban areas.
“Although the flooding has subsided, we are not letting people return home. Their houses need to be cleaned before they go back,” a volunteer told The Irrawaddy.
Bago Region suffers seasonal flooding but the current crisis is the worst in 60 years, submerging 80 percent of Bago City and leaving at least one resident dead, according to locals.
“We have to travel by boat in some places. People can’t walk in some areas although the flood level has fallen,” said U Tun Myat Nyunt, head of the Wonyan Hmue rescue foundation.
He said that around 20,000 people in three wards that had never suffered flooding before – Mhaw Kan, Ponnar Su, and Socialist – are still in need of assistance.
“We are delivering drinking water and food. Currently, drinking water sources are scarce,” U Tun Myat Nyunt told The Irrawaddy.
To the southwest, flood victims in Hlegu Township on the outskirts of Yangon Region remain in relief camps as they wait for floods to recede, according to camp volunteers.
“Food and medicine supplies are urgently needed for people in Bago and Hlegu affected by the floods,” the Myanmar Red Cross Society said.
Meanwhile Bago residents said that villages near the city are still submerged and require emergency assistance..."
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2023-10-11
Date of entry/update:
2023-10-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Climate Change - Burma/Myanmar: general, Climate Change - Migration Burma/Myanmar, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Natural Disasters - General
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"Community-based mental health sessions are giving hope to people in Myanmar who have faced years of conflict and displacement and who are still rebuilding following the damage caused by a category five cyclone that hit parts of the country in mid-May.
“Patients often say to me that our sessions give them hope for the future,” says a mental health counsellor educator. They feel calmer, more positive and better equipped to face the future with our support,”.
Cyclone Mocha, with winds of up to 280 kilometres/hour, ripped through Rakhine state and the northwest of Myanmar on 14 May. People in these areas are already incredibly vulnerable. Most of them live in bamboo houses and there are around 6 million people in Rakhine who rely on humanitarian assistance. Over 26,500 internally displaced people live in camps in the area; a large number are Rohingya, who have a high number of mental health conditions due to years of persecution and severe restrictions on their freedom of movement.
MSF counsellor educators and community-based health workers provide ongoing support to patients in villages, health clinics, and displaced people’s camps. Services include psychological education and counselling to help enhance understanding and coping skills for patients (and their caregivers) experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns. These range from depression and anxiety to psychosis, and even thoughts or acts of suicide when people feel completely hopeless.
“Working with patients and their caregivers in the environment where they live helps us provide support and counselling that touches patients’ lives at the most critical of moments,” says Sara Chesters, MSF mental health activity manager. “Our patients struggle with displacement resulting from ethnic or religious conflicts, sexual assault, and the mental health issues that can evolve from acutely stressful situations where basic resources and healthcare are hard to find and access.”
“We help treat their symptoms and work with them to provide the tools and resources to not just survive but to learn to thrive in the most challenging of circumstances,” says Chesters.
Mental health support is a core part of MSF’s medical work in Rakhine state, but following the recent cyclone, the team have adapted the way they work to improve the care they provide to affected communities. Instead of a formal, individual approach, which is treatment focused, our teams are currently working on building relationships and allowing people the space to talk.
In the aftermath of the storm, mental health counsellors and community health workers were out every day, accompanying the medical teams to MSF clinics and displaced people’s camps in Rakhine state. Supporting people in their own communities creates a safe space for people to talk. Our teams run small, informal sessions with a focus on listening to support people through difficult times.
“We usually go to monasteries or local villages and hold group sessions,” says Ei Ngoon Phyo, MSF mental health counsellor educator. “The main message is to tell patients that they are not alone. We try to encourage people that their hopes and dreams can come alive again.”
Ei Ngoon Phyo can empathise greatly with patients; she also lost her family home to Cyclone Mocha and had to wait several terrifying days until she managed to confirm that all family members were safe. Returning to her village, she found widespread destruction of trees and houses.
“A coconut tree cut my house in half, it was completely destroyed, and we are seeing a lot of patients who also lost their houses and their businesses,” says Phyo. “There are many patients who need mental health support.”
“After the storm, I met patients who needed psychological first aid and I tried to support them as much as I could,” she continues. “Speaking to the patients was a healing experience for me; encouraging them to think in a certain way, helped me to do so, too.”
Following Cyclone Mocha, humanitarian organisations struggled to scale up their activities to meet the new needs. Barriers such as limited access to patients remain, and this has affected our ability to deliver mental health counselling to those who need it.
Our teams are seeing high numbers of requests for mental health support following Cyclone Mocha.
“We have found that there are huge needs in the community but we are struggling to reach many patients who need support,” says Chesters.
Our teams have seen high demand for mental health support, particularly over the last few months, but without more access to patients, high numbers of people are missing out. It is essential that humanitarian organisations can reach and deliver care to communities and be allowed to scale up as necessary..."
Source/publisher:
Médecins Sans Frontières
Date of publication:
2023-10-10
Date of entry/update:
2023-10-10
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Description:
"A military strike on the village of Mung Lai Hkyet in Kachin State, that includes camps for displaced people took place at 11.00 pm of 9 October. Twenty-nine people were killed, including 10 children, and 56 people wounded.
As of 25 September there are 1,968,200 Internally Displaced People, IDPs in Myanmar of which 1,662,000 were displaced after 1 February 2021, and 1,031,600 are in Magway and Sagaing. Military raids in Pale and Ye-U in Sagaing State on 6 October caused the displacement of approximately 20,000 new IDPs.
Heavy rainfall has been affecting southern Myanmar since 8 October, causing widespread floods and resulting in casualties and damage.
According to ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet) and media, as of 9 October due to floods more than 12,155 people have been internally displaced, of whom 12,000 in Bago Township of Bago Region, 100 in Taikkyi Township of Yangon Region and 55 in Kyaikhto Township of Mon State due to floods. Moreover, almost 2,839 houses have been affected. For the next 24 hours, more rainfall is forecast over the affected regions..."
Source/publisher:
European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
Date of publication:
2023-10-10
Date of entry/update:
2023-10-10
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Human Rights and international relations, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Armed conflict in Burma - attacks on civilians
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more
Description:
"Satellite detected water extent as of 9 October 2023 in Bago and Yangon Region
This map illustrates satellite-detected surface waters due to the current monsoon rains over part of Bago and Yangon region of Myanmar as observed from a Sentinel-1 image as of 9 October 2023. Within the analyzed area of about 7,988 km2, a total of about 805 km2 of lands appear to be flooded. Based on Worldpop population data and the detected surface waters, about 125,668 people are potentially exposed or living close to flooded areas. This is a preliminary analysis and has not yet been validated in the field. Please send ground feedback to MIMU.
Important Note: Flood analysis from radar images may underestimate the presence of standing waters in built-up areas and densely vegetated areas due to backscattering..."
Source/publisher:
Myanmar Information Management Unit (Myanmar) via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication:
2023-10-09
Date of entry/update:
2023-10-09
Grouping:
Individual Documents
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3.5 MB
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Description:
"Bago, Myanmar
Event Date : Sun, 08 Oct 2023
AHADID : AHA-FL-2023-000892-MMR | GLIDE Number :
Impact Update Date : Sun, 08 Oct 2023 14:31:17
AFFECTED AREA/S
Bago, Mon, Yangon
DESCRIPTION
Due to the recorded rainfall of 200 mm in Bago Township of Bago Region on 8th October, the Bago River Water Level has exceeded 124 cm from its danger level. A riverine flood has been occurring in Bago Township and about 12000 people from over 2800 households were evacuated to the temporary camps (DDM).
DDM reported floods in Kyaikhto Township of Mon State due to the heavy rain of the Southwest Monsoon . The reports indicates about 55 people from 12 households had to move to the community shelters.
DDM also report a flooding events in Taikkyi Township of Yangon Region, and about 100 people displaced and 27 houses were flooded.
Necessary humanitarian assistance to the affected population has been timely provided by the State/ Region DDM Offices in the flood-affected area..."
Source/publisher:
ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance
Date of publication:
2023-10-08
Date of entry/update:
2023-10-08
Grouping:
Individual Documents
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Description:
"MYANMAR:
Severe weather conditions continue to trigger floods in multiple areas, compounding the already precarious living conditions of people affected by ongoing armed clashes which continue across the country. In Sagaing, approximately 1,000 people from 6 wards in Kale town were relocated to safer locations on 8 September due to flooding. In the Southeast, although some of the 80,000 people affected by the August floods have now returned to their homes, a significant number remain displaced and in urgent need of assistance. Access constraints have increased, notably in the Southeast and Kachin, further restricting people’s access to vital services and hindering the delivery of assistance to affected communities.
Despite these challenges, more than 1.8 million out of 5 million people targeted in 2023 have been reached with humanitarian assistance in the first half of the year..."
Source/publisher:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (New York) via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication:
2023-09-19
Date of entry/update:
2023-09-19
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Human Rights and international relations
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
2.29 MB
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Description:
"Satellite detected water extent as of 10 September 2023, Ayeyarwady and Bago Region
T his map illustrates satellite-detected surface waters due to the current monsoon rains over Ayeyarwady and Bago region of Myanmar as observed from a S entinel-1 image as of 10 S eptember 2023. Within the analyzed area of about 24,040 k m2, a total of about 1,851 k m2 of lands appear to be flooded. Based on Worldpop population data and the detected surface waters, about 288,362 people are potentially exposed or living close to flooded areas. T his is a preliminary analysis and has not yet been validated in the field. Please send ground feedback to MIMU .
Important Note: Flood analysis from radar images may underestimate the presence of standing waters in built-up areas and densely vegetated areas due to back scattering..."
Source/publisher:
Myanmar Information Management Unit (Myanmar) via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication:
2023-09-10
Date of entry/update:
2023-09-13
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Cyclones - regional
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.68 MB
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Title: Probable Flood Inundated Area in in Magway Region as of 8 September 2023 (6:00 AM Local Time)
Description:
"Satellite detected water extent as of 8 September 2023, Magway Region
This map illustrates these satellite-detected surface waters due to the current monsoon rains over Magway region of Myanmar as observed from a Sentinel-1 image as of 8 September 2023. Within the analyzed area of about 637 km2, a total of about 637 km2 of lands appear to be flooded. Based on World Population data and the detected surface waters, about 63,342 people are potentially exposed or living close to flooded a rea s. This is a preliminary analysis and has not yet been validated in the field. Please send ground feedback to MIMU.
Important Note: Flood a n a lysis from radar images m a y underestimate the presence of sta n din g wa ters in b uilt-up a rea s and densely vegeta ted a rea s due to backscatter..."
Source/publisher:
Myanmar Information Management Unit (Myanmar) via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication:
2023-09-08
Date of entry/update:
2023-09-13
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Cyclones - regional
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.43 MB
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Description:
"2023 marks the sixth anniversary of the 2017 exodus of more than 730,000 Rohingya fleeing the Myanmar military’s so-called ‘clearance operations’ from Rakhine State to Bangladesh.
SITUATION IN MYANMAR
The 2021 military coup, after toppling the civilian government and declaring a state of emergency across the country, has disproportionately affected the Rohingya population in Myanmar and heightened their vulnerability. The further extension of martial law and postponement of the general election risks aggravation of the political and humanitarian crisis.
In Rakhine State, approximately 600,000 Rohingya continue to live under de facto indefinite detention with severe restrictions ranging from freedom of movement (harassment, extortion, curfews, etc.) to arbitrary detention and arrests under immigration laws. The limited access to food, water, healthcare, education, employment, and justice has compounded their social exclusion and entrenched systemic discrimination that amounts to an apartheid-like situation.
Cyclone Mocha, which struck the Bangladesh-Myanmar border on 14 May 2023, had a devastating effect on the Rohingya in Rakhine State; hundreds were killed, thousands were injured, and there was a widespread collapse of housing and shelters. The Myanmar military not only provided inadequate warning and evacuation plans, but it also failed in relief and rehabilitation. The military junta deliberately blocked access to humanitarian aid, rejected travel visas and suspended authorisations to aid and medical workers. The intentional blockade and abject indifference by the military exacerbated the food, water, and health crisis, including rising malnutrition and waterborne diseases, and lack of sanitation.
SITUATION IN BANGLADESH
In Bangladesh, which hosts over a million Rohingya refugees, the situation in the camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char is dire, with restrictions on movement, lack of access to durable housing, education, livelihood, and health care. Recurring natural disasters, including cyclones and floods and man-made events like fires and arson in the camps, exacerbate the situation. In June 2023, faced with a shortage of funds from the international community, the United Nations World Food Programme slashed food rations from $12 to $8 a month, heightening the risk of malnutrition, drug and human trafficking, forced marriages, and child labour.
There is growing violence in the camps from armed gangs and militants, including the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in the refugee camps. The increase in killings of community leaders, including Majhis has had a chilling effect and contributed to a climate of extreme insecurity. Bangladesh police have failed to respond to the complaints filed by Rohingya relating to sexual violence, torture, abduction, child recruitment etc., and provide adequate security and protection. In fact, since 2020, the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) tasked to provide security at the camps has been accused of corruption and rights violations and extorted, tortured, and arbitrarily detained the already vulnerable Rohingya.
Thousands of Rohingya, risking their lives and paying exorbitant ransoms, have undertaken perilous journeys by sea to escape the harsh living conditions of the camps. In doing so, hundreds of Rohingya including women and children have lost their lives. Failure of States to respond to boats with refugees in distress increases the risk of starvation and deaths at sea.
THE PILOT REPATRIATION PROJECT
In May 2023, following the tripartite negotiations between the Myanmar junta, Bangladesh, and China, a select group 20 Rohingya were taken to resettlement camps in Rakhine State as a part of a ‘pilot project’. According to the project, around 1000 Rohingya refugees will be placed in ‘transit camps’ for two months before being shifted to one of the two resettlements camps in one of the 15 ‘designated villages’ in Myanmar. These transit camps are detention-like centres with barbed wire perimeters and check posts. The camps will be guarded by the military for reasons of ‘security’. The Project doesn’t grant Myanmar citizenship to the Rohingya under the 1982 Citizenship Law and only accord them with the National Verification Cards (NVCs). The NVCs designate the Rohingya as ‘foreigners’ and restricts their access and movement.
The May 2023 visit was preceded by the visit of Myanmar military officials to Cox’s Bazar in March to undertake the ‘verification process’ for the pilot project. The refugees in the camps were misled, deceived, and coerced by the Bangladesh security officers into interacting with the junta officials. Any repatriation must ensure that the Rohingya are included in the talks and the return of refugees is voluntary, informed, safe, and dignified. However, the present condition in Myanmar is far from conducive to meeting these requirements. If anything, the situation in Rakhine State has worsened since the 2021 military coup. While there is a long-standing demand for a durable solution from Rohingya, including the return to their homeland, the forceful refoulement of refugees to Myanmar under the leadership of the military junta – the orchestrators of the 2017 ‘clearance operations’, would place the lives of the Rohingya at significant risk.
The December 2022 UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution and the High Commissioner on Human Rights and Special Rapporteur’s report – all acknowledge that the current situation in Myanmar is not optimal for the return of the Rohingya refugees and call for the root causes to be resolved. However, the purported pilot project doesn’t accord equal citizenship to Rohingya and the violence by the military junta remains unabated in Myanmar.
INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY EFFORTS
The military junta spearheading the repatriation project is nothing but an attempt to garner legitimacy from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the international community. Following the rejection of the military’s preliminary objection to the court’s jurisdiction, the military failed to submit its counter-memorial at the ICJ in the allotted time and sought an extension. The ongoing legal proceedings at the ICJ pertaining to the Genocide Convention and the International Criminal Court (ICC) concerning crimes against humanity seeking responsibility for the atrocities committed against the Rohingya are essential accountability initiatives albeit slow. The ICC investigation opened in 2019 is yet to result in any significant movement when compared to other investigations in the recent past, including the issuance of an arrest warrant. In contrast, the progress in the universal jurisdiction case in Argentina as well as a new complaint filed against the Myanmar military in Germany for the atrocity crimes committed against the Rohingya, is a welcome development.
The passivity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has emboldened the Myanmar military. The Indonesian chairmanship of the regional group has not yielded any substantial change. The blatant and continuing breach of the Five-Point Consensus reflects the military’s disregard for regional peace and security. The commission of mass atrocities, increase in transnational crimes,including drug smuggling and trafficking, and blockage of humanitarian assistance, demand strong action by ASEAN rather than quiet diplomacy. The Security Council would be betraying its duty and obligation under the UN Charter if it remains seized of the rising impunity of the military junta in Myanmar but turns a blind eye to the flagrant violation of the adopted resolution and passes the buck to ASEAN.
The Asia Justice Coalition is alarmed at the international indifference to the plight of the Rohingya and expresses its deep concern regarding the proposed ‘pilot project’ aimed at forceful repatriation of the Rohingya. It calls upon:
The Myanmar junta to immediately end the ongoing attacks and military operations across the country, including all violations of international law against Rohingya and other
The military junta to urgently facilitate safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access across the country, especially to the Rohingya and Cyclone Mocha victims.
The Bangladesh government to provide increased protection and security to the Rohingya and investigate and prosecute security officials responsible for rights violations against the
The Bangladesh government to halt its participation in the tripartite diplomatic efforts to repatriate Rohingya and continue to uphold its commitment to hosting the refugees.
The Bangladesh government to ease restrictions in the refugee camps and provide Rohingya access to education, livelihood, health services.
ASEAN to overhaul the Five-Point Consensus and set a concrete and timebound action plan, block Myanmar from all its meetings, and support UN member states in enforcing sanctions and a global arms embargo.
The UN Security Council to hold a public session on the situation in Myanmar, impose a binding global arms embargo, and along with UN member states impose targeted sanctions, and stop the supply and transfer of arms to the Myanmar military and ensure effective implementation and prosecute sanction breaches.
The UN Security Council to urgently refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court for a full investigation.
International community, especially donor governments, to urgently contribute to the UN Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya and meet funding commitments.
UN member states to call for voluntary, informed, safe, and dignified return of the Rohingya and prevent forceful repatriation of the refugees to Myanmar.
The US, UK, EU, and other like-minded states/international organizations to formally intervene in The Gambia Myanmar before the ICJ, and Canada and The Netherlands to take formal steps towards their intention to intervene.
Neighbouring countries, including India, Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh, to devise a comprehensive regional response to the refugee crisis, provide protection, support, and humanitarian and legal aid to all refugees fleeing Myanmar, and to authorize emergency cross- border aid to internally displaced people in Myanmar.
All countries to use all avenues and diplomatic channels at their disposal in pursuit of justice and accountability for the people of Myanmar, including civil and criminal legal actions based on the principle of universal jurisdiction..."
Source/publisher:
Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
Date of publication:
2023-08-25
Date of entry/update:
2023-08-25
Grouping:
Individual Documents
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Description:
"Yangon - On this World Humanitarian Day, we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the tragic attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad that reshaped the course of humanitarian action. Today, as we reflect, we are honored to recognize the dedicated aid workers of Myanmar, who exhibit unwavering commitment in delivering crucial assistance to affected and displaced communities despite the immensely challenging operational environment.
In Myanmar, active conflicts and natural disasters have led to surging displacement and unparalleled hardships. Nearly 18 million people (one-third of the population) urgently require humanitarian aid in 2023. Despite escalating complexities and multiplying challenges, our resilient humanitarians continue to rise above difficulties to deliver life-saving support.
Local and national humanitarian partners have demonstrated unwavering resolve in supporting their fellow citizens, employing innovative approaches to reach conflict-affected and disaster-stricken areas. Their determination remains focused on the singular goal of preserving lives. Throughout the first half of 2023, these partners provided shelter, food, health services, education, protection, and more to 1.8 million men, women, and children affected by conflicts and natural disasters, achieving 36 percent of their target.
However, the journey is far from over. Completing this mission amidst insecurity and continual challenges demands safeguarding the lives of these brave humanitarians and ensuring unhindered access to those in need. Financial support is equally vital to deliver comprehensive assistance to the people of Myanmar who are grappling with the compounding consequences of COVID-19, conflict, economic crisis, and natural disasters.
Nonetheless, almost eight months into 2023, the Humanitarian Response Plan and Cyclone Mocha Flash Appeal are only funded at 25 per cent. This shortfall hinders our ability to provide timely and extensive aid.
On this World Humanitarian Day, we implore all parties to uphold international human rights and humanitarian laws, including ensuring humanitarian access and protecting aid workers. We also call upon the donor community to escalate their financial contributions, thereby reaffirming their commitment to the resilient people of Myanmar who endure this multi-faceted crisis.
In the spirit of humanity, let us stand united and resolute in our determination to protect lives and alleviate suffering no matter what and where..."
Source/publisher:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (New York) via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication:
2023-08-19
Date of entry/update:
2023-08-19
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Human Rights and international relations, Cyclones - regional, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar
Language:
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pdf pdf
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181.39 KB 187.79 KB
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Description:
"Kayin, Myanmar
Event Date : Mon, 07 Aug 2023
AHADID : AHA-FL-2023-000694-MMR | GLIDE Number :
Impact Update Date : Mon, 07 Aug 2023 10:05:28
AFFECTED AREA/S
Bago, Chin, Kachin, Kayin, Magway, Mon, Rakhine, Tanintharyi, Yangon
DESCRIPTION
Reports as of 11 August 2023,
The flooding occurs in the following areas:
Kachin: Bamo
Kayin: Kyainseikgyi, Kyeikdon, Hlaingbwe, Myawaddy, Hpa-An, Hpa-pun, Kyondoe, Kawkareik
Chin: Kawkareik
Tanintharyi: Kawthaung, Taninthayi - Bago Shwegyin, Bago
Magway: Chauk, Yenangyaung
Mon: Thanbyuzayat, Mudon, Mawlamyine, Bilin, Ye, Kyaikto, Thaton
Rakhine: Thandwe, Toungup, Maungdaw, Kyauktaw, Minbya
Yangon: Taik Kyi..."
Source/publisher:
ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance via Reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication:
2023-08-07
Date of entry/update:
2023-08-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Education in Burma/Myanmar - general, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Natural Disasters - General
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.23 MB
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Description:
"Heavy rains in Myanmar continue to cause flooding in Kayin, Rakhine, Mon and Bago areas of Myanmar, with at least 15,000 people affected.
The floods have forced the closure of more than 100 schools in Rakhine State. A section of the Asia Highway has collapsed in Karen State, while railway operations are disrupted in Mon State.
At least two people have been killed, with a woman and her daughter swept away by flooding in Rakhine State..."
Source/publisher:
European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
Date of publication:
2023-08-10
Date of entry/update:
2023-08-10
Grouping:
Individual Documents
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Description:
"Executive Summary
Given the fragile and conflict-affected situation with limited access in Myanmar, the World Bank has adopted the Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) methodology to estimate damages arising from Cyclone Mocha. GRADE is a remote, desktop analysis to estimate damage to capital stock. This report summarizes the results of the GRADE1 conducted to assess damages following the impact of Extremely severe cyclonic storm2 Mocha in Myanmar during May 2023.
Key Findings
Total Damages: The median estimate of total direct damages caused by Cyclone Mocha is US$ 2.24 billion, equivalent to 3.4% of Myanmar’s GDP in 2021. This includes damages to residential and non-residential buildings and contents, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Output Definition: Economic impacts are reported in terms of capital damages, estimated via the GRADE methodology.
Affected Sectors: Based on damages estimated from reported impacts, the residential housing sector is the hardest hit, followed by non-residential buildings and infrastructure, and then agriculture.
Spatial Distribution: Over 80% of the damages occurred in Rakhine and Sagaing. Rakhine was the worst affected, with approximately 1.2 million people across seven districts and 17 townships impacted. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across Rakhine State, were devastated by the storm, leading to many deaths.
Points of Interest: (a) The cyclone caused significant damages to five States/Regions in the west and northwestern part of the country: Rakhine, Sagaing, Magway, Mandalay, and Chin; (b) The primary source of damage from Cyclone Mocha in Rakhine State was wind while in Magway and Sagaing regions there was also significant flooding; (c) Infrastructure across the affected regions suffered extensive damage, including health facilities, schools, communication networks, and transportation systems; (d) The ongoing conflict in several regions, particularly in Rakhine State, has exacerbated the impacts of the cyclone and is likely to impact the response and recovery process.
This post-disaster damage estimation effort provides a useful initial estimate of the damages and economic impact caused by Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar and could contribute and complement additional damage and loss assessments involving ground evaluations to plan and design recovery planning and reconstruction.
Residential buildings, non-residential buildings and infrastructure damages are estimated via the GRADE methodology. Published national-level and state/township-level damage reports from local sources have been used for the model (see Annex 2 for detailed references). Data has been cross-checked with georeferenced images and footage from mainstream and social media, and reports from other agencies and organizations.
For residential buildings, non-residential buildings and infrastructure, the analyses at this point evaluate only physical damage to capital stock and do not cover the economic flow losses (e.g., costs of business interruption).
Agricultural damages and losses are estimated based on the disaggregation, quantification, and values of crops from the 2021 Statistical Yearbook and previous agricultural censuses; combined with current yield estimates from state and district agricultural departments. Agricultural losses include damage and production losses.
Estimated Damages
The cost of direct damages to buildings, infrastructure, and agriculture from Cyclone Mocha are estimated at US$2.24 billion. This is equivalent to approximately 3.4% of Myanmar’s 2021 GDP. The estimation includes damages due to wind, flooding, storm surge and landslides to residential and non-residential buildings (including building contents), as well as damages to agriculture and infrastructure sector. Table 1 shows the breakdown of the best estimate of direct economic damages in Myanmar by sector and by State or Region, and as a whole for the event. There is some uncertainty around the estimates, due to incomplete damage statistics which were compensated for by using modelling methods. The analyses at this point evaluate only physical damage to capital stock and do not cover the losses as per PDNA3 definition (e.g., business interruption), except for agriculture. The damages to buildings (residential and non-residential) include building contents. It is estimated that more than 70% of the total damages occurred in Rakhine State. Damages to housing and non-residential buildings and their contents account for over 49% and 18% of the total respectively, while damages to infrastructure and agriculture account for under 22% and 11% of the total respectively.
To derive the capital damages, the analysis has taken into consideration observational and historical information in the region. Published damage reports from May 12th to June 8th have been used from, among others, the National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) and Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management (MOHADM) agencies, as well as other state and township level data from news reports and public agencies’ reporting4. This has been cross-checked with georeferenced images and footage from mainstream and social media, and flood footprints derived from satellite imagery and flow gauge data from Myanmar’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH).
The spatial distribution of total capital damages is shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 (Section 2.3). The greatest damages have occurred in Rakhine State and Sagaing Region, which together account for nearly 84% of the total accumulated damages. Rakhine, as the State that was hit the hardest, experienced a total damage that amounted to almost 30% of its total capital stock..."
Source/publisher:
Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery and World Bank
Date of publication:
2023-08-07
Date of entry/update:
2023-08-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
3.15 MB
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Description:
""About 85 per cent of my camp is in ruins after Cyclone Mocha wreaked havoc here," says Daw Nu, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) community health worker living in Sittwe.
"All hut-like houses are destroyed. People who live in houses like these are in dire need of emergency aid since they have no place to stay."
Daw Nu's house was battered by the heavy rains and 280 km per hour winds of Mocha, a category-five cyclone making landfall in Myanmar in mid-May, the largest of its kind to hit Rakhine state and the northwest of the country in over a decade.
Response delayed by restrictions
More than two months on, despite the magnitude of this disaster, scaling up an emergency response to address the immense needs of people impacted is still not happening.
Humanitarian relief is at a standstill due to restrictions imposed by military authorities, who only permit regular pre-cyclone activities to run and prohibit any scale up of a cyclone-specific response.
This includes restrictions on large-scale distributions of relief items like food supplies, hygiene kits, and much-needed bamboo and tarpaulins for building or repairing shelters.
Military authorities should lift these restrictions to facilitate an urgent scale up of humanitarian action to prevent further harm, outbreak of diseases and loss of life.
Escalating needs on top of existing hardship
Those most severely impacted by Cyclone Mocha are communities who have already been displaced by conflict and are often living in camps, people living in low-lying areas, as well as people living in remote areas, far from where assistance efforts have been concentrated.
Shelter, reconstruction of destroyed or damaged water and sanitation infrastructure, safe drinking water, food, and access to healthcare remain the most urgent, vast and unmet needs.
This destruction comes on top of existing hardship, particularly for Rohingya and ethnic Rakhine communities displaced by conflict and already heavily reliant on humanitarian assistance.
Rohingya people face severe restrictions on all aspects of their life such as freedom of movement, access to healthcare, livelihood opportunities and education.
Initial response shows positive engagement possible
On 14 May, when Cyclone Mocha caused landfall it was a deadly combination of spiralling winds around a centre of low atmospheric pressure, which caused the scale of destruction that Daw Saw Nuw and an estimated 670,000 others experienced.
Initial response efforts were positive. The military authorities and armed groups, such as the Arakan Army, led on cleaning debris from roads. Telecommunications and electricity were restored within a reasonable time.
As the scale of destruction became clearer, humanitarian organisations readied themselves to scale up and prevent further loss of life and suffering.
MSF teams prioritised prevention of waterborne diseases through the distribution of drinking water to 9,000 people per week, and repairs of destroyed latrines and water systems. We also gradually resumed our regular mobile clinics, and emergency medical referrals for patients in need of more specialised treatment.
Response efforts disrupted
This came to a halt on 8 June when three weeks after the cyclone hit, travel authorisations for Rakhine state were suspended temporarily. Revoking our teams' travel authorisations meant we were unable to open any of our 25 basic healthcare clinics.
The provision of lifesaving medical humanitarian assistance covering an estimated 214,000 people in central Rakhine and 250,000 people in northern Rakhine was disrupted.
After a three-day interruption, activities were officially permitted to resume on 11 June, but only those already agreed before the cyclone. Authorisation to scale up responses based on the additional needs created by the cyclone were not granted.
Temporary disruptions shift to long-term obstructions
Today, the current response is far from what is required after a cyclone. Among the restrictions imposed on scaling up is a requirement to hand over relief items to the military authorities who will manage distribution.
This requirement jeopardises the neutrality of humanitarian assistance, which in a conflict-affected state like Rakhine, will affect the trust communities have in humanitarian organisations.
It also goes against the humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality and independence, which MSF and other organisations abide by.
Among the humanitarian community, the initial momentum to draw attention to these restrictions has waned.
Current situation cannot become the new normal
We are deeply concerned that the dire living conditions the cyclone has caused, the unnecessary restrictions that actively sustain these unacceptable conditions, and the lack of public attention being drawn to this situation are gradually becoming the new normal in Rakhine.
These restrictions are also contributing to a continued lack of financial commitment shown by donors towards people in Myanmar.
The military authorities and other parties to the conflict are responsible for the people impacted by Cyclone Mocha.
As such, the military authorities should lift the current restrictions and facilitate the unimpeded passage of medical and humanitarian relief items to people in need in a manner that does not compromise their impartiality and neutrality..."
Source/publisher:
Médecins Sans Frontières
Date of publication:
2023-07-26
Date of entry/update:
2023-07-26
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Individual Documents
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"The Government of Sri Lanka with the support of the Sri Lanka Tea Board donated a consignment of “Ceylon Tea” to the Government of Myanmar on 15 July 2023 as humanitarian assistance to the victims of cyclone Mocha.
The consignment was officially handed over to the Director of Natural Disaster Management Center of Myanmar Than Soe at the Yangon International Airport.
The donation was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs along with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Yangon. The consignment was airlifted by the Sri Lankan Airlines from Colombo to Bangkok and Myanmar Airways International (MAI) from Bangkok to Yangon on complimentary basis..."
Source/publisher:
Government of Sri Lanka
Date of publication:
2023-07-17
Date of entry/update:
2023-07-17
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Food Security and nutrition in Burma/Myanmar, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Natural Disasters - General
Language:
more
Description:
"Context
On 14 May 2023, cyclone Mocha made landfall in Myanmar, accompanied by violent gusts, torrential rainfall and flooding. Mocha caused significant disruption to the lives and livelihoods of more than 40 percent of farming households in Ayeyarwady, Chin, Kachin, Magway and Sagaing, and more than 80 percent in Rakhine. The climate-induced disaster struck some of the most vulnerable rural communities at a time when they were already grappling with a growing food security crisis.1 Moreover, agricultural production had been steadily declining, and more than half of farmers reported a drop in agricultural production in January 2023.
Cyclone Mocha damaged approximately 327 000 ha of agricultural lands, wiping out agricultural production worth an estimated USD 22.6 million.3 Furthermore, nearly 13 000 heads of livestock were lost, valued at approximately USD 6.7 million.
Mocha also inflicted severe damage on critical agricultural infrastructures, fisheries, and vital seed stocks.
According to the findings of a household survey conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Ayeyarwady, Chin, Kachin, Magway, Rakhine and Sagaing, half of the surveyed farming and livestock-keeping households reported loss of productive assets. FAO further estimates that nearly half of the fishing equipment in Sittwe (Rakhine state) was damaged.
Additionally, according to the findings of a series of key informant interviews conducted by FAO in 11 townships in Rakhine state, two in every three farming households, two in every five agropastoral households, and more than one in every three fishing households lost their productive assets. Of particular concern, coastal areas in Rakhine are likely experiencing saline water intrusion due to their low-lying locations relative to sea level.
As the multidimensional crisis continues and considering the impacts of Mocha on rural communities, food production may decline further, and more people could lack access to food. With three in four people dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods, emergency livelihoods support to farmers, fishers and livestock keepers is crucial in preventing a decline in food security. Accordingly, and in line with Cyclone Mocha Flash Appeal, FAO aims to scale up emergency livelihoods support to the most vulnerable rural households in the affected areas..."
Source/publisher:
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (Rome) via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication:
2023-07-05
Date of entry/update:
2023-07-05
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Agriculture in Burma/Myanmar: general and research, Cyclones - regional, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar
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"RAKHINE STATE, Myanmar – “We need more health-care services and facilities in operation. I want my baby safe, this is all I need.” Nan Nwe, 40, is pregnant and newly displaced in Sittwe, in Myanmar’s cyclone-battered Rakhine State.
Cyclone Mocha was one of the most powerful storms ever to hit Myanmar, affecting an estimated 3.4 million people. Howling winds tore homes to pieces, while torrential downpours and a dangerous storm surge submerged areas along the coast, flooding villages and leaving hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people without shelter.
Many who were already displaced in camps and displacement sites, stateless people, women and children, and people with disabilities have lost their homes and access to basic services and clean water. Health facilities and UNFPA-supported safe spaces for women and girls have been extensively damaged or destroyed entirely by the storm.
Yoma Nandar, 21, is also from Sittwe, near where the cyclone made landfall on 14 May. She asked, “When pregnant women need services urgently, where do we go unless the services are available and in our reach?”
Twenty-six year old Nway Nway Soe is also pregnant and lives in the path of the cyclone. She told UNFPA, “With the destruction of roads and my nearest clinic and expensive transportation costs, I cannot go to the city to receive antenatal care.”
To reach women and girls in even the most inaccessible areas, UNFPA is supporting mobile clinics across nine villages in Sittwe township, providing assistance such as health check-ups, prenatal and postnatal care, family planning and psychosocial support. These clinics, already operated by UNFPA partners before the cyclone, help ensure those grappling with the crisis can receive critical sexual and reproductive health care.
Mounting needs as access and assistance are limited
Reaching people in need was already a challenge in parts of both Rakhine and the northwest due to ongoing conflict and restrictions on movement and supply transportation, and now roads and bridges have been destroyed by flooding.
Ms. Nway was among those who received assistance from one of the mobile facilities in Sittwe. “I’m so lucky that this mobile clinic comes to our door for pregnant women like us,” she said. “There are many women who need urgent health care and support in affected areas.”
Over a month on from the cyclone, humanitarian needs in cyclone-struck areas are enormous. Those affected include some 432,000 women and girls of reproductive age, including over 20,700 who are currently pregnant; around 2,300 of these women were due to give birth over the past month, in the chaotic aftermath of the crisis.
Mya Khin, 37, from the Min Hla village in Sittwe said: “I am nine months pregnant. My house was severely damaged by the cyclone […] What I need most is quality health care for a safe delivery. I am very happy that this mobile clinic is reaching us at this critical time. I received the services and information that are important for my pregnancy.”
Dr Win Zaw Tun, a medical officer with the Myanmar Medical Association in Say Thamar Kyi village in Sittwe, explained the gravity of the situation many are facing.
“Pregnant women can experience many health-related issues unless services are available. Women with high-risk pregnancies are more likely to [be in] critical condition. They need continuous care and even early referral in case of emergency.”
Multiple and multiplying risks
The storm also disrupted community support systems and services to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. Most of the UNFPA-supported safe spaces for women and girls in central and northern Rakhine have been damaged, while power outages, dilapidated water and toilet facilities and overcrowded living conditions that lack privacy, sanitation and proper lighting are exacerbating these risks.
With the scale of the needs in Myanmar, UNFPA urgently requires funding to support sexual and reproductive health services, including gender-based violence response and mental health and psychosocial support, rehabilitating health facilities, deploying trained midwives and other critical cadres and procuring essential medicines, clean delivery kits and dignity kits.
With the serious gaps in health infrastructure, it is imperative to ensure emergency sexual and reproductive health services to help prevent maternal deaths, sexual violence, unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
Yet many, like Dr. Win and his team, are committed to staying and supporting thousands in desperate need of their help, whatever the conditions.
“Although our clinic building was completely destroyed by Cyclone Mocha, we have made a tent to provide the services,” he said. “Our life-saving services must not stop under any kind of emergency.”..."
Source/publisher:
United Nations Population Fund (New York)
Date of publication:
2023-07-03
Date of entry/update:
2023-07-03
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"The Australian Government will provide an additional $12.5 million to meet urgent humanitarian needs in Bangladesh and Myanmar following Tropical Cyclone Mocha.
Tropical Cyclone Mocha caused widespread damage across Myanmar and Bangladesh when it struck on 14 May, affecting an estimated 2.4 million people and compounding an already serious humanitarian situation.
In Myanmar, Australia will provide $10.5 million to support 1.6 million affected people, through the United Nations-led response plan. This assistance will be provided to UN agencies and humanitarian partners to ensure that it does not directly benefit or legitimise the military regime.
In Bangladesh, Australia will provide $2 million to humanitarian partners, primarily to support Bangladeshi communities in the most severely affected areas.
This brings Australia’s contribution towards the Tropical Cyclone Mocha relief efforts to $13.5 million, following Australia’s initial $1 million contribution. Our initial support focused on the rapid delivery of humanitarian supplies and impact assessments.
The additional contributions build on our ongoing support for the humanitarian response in Myanmar and Bangladesh, now totalling $145 million in 2022-23.
We continue to urge the military regime in Myanmar to provide safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance..."
Source/publisher:
Government of Australia
Date of publication:
2023-06-25
Date of entry/update:
2023-06-25
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
The discussion on humanitarian assistance to Burma, Australia-Burma relations, Cyclones - regional, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar
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Description:
"The tropical storm devastated coastal communities in Rakhine State, destroying homes, infrastructure and livelihoods.
Cyclone Mocha was one of the strongest cyclones ever recorded in Myanmar when it made landfall in Rakhine State on 14 May, causing widespread devastation. At its fiercest, windspeeds reached more than 250 kilometres per hour.
Almost 7.9 million people are estimated to have been in the cyclone’s path, which caused severe damage as it moved inland to the country’s northwest. The humanitarian community in Myanmar has launched a Flash Appeal to raise US$333 million to assist 1.6 million people.
The scale of the work needed to recover is immense. The communities hit hardest were already among the most impoverished and disadvantaged in Myanmar, suffering years of conflict, displacement, and economic marginalization. Rakhine has the second-highest poverty rate in the country, with two-thirds of people living below the poverty line.
In Rakhine State, some 1.9 million people have been affected. The de facto authorities report that at least 145 people died in the cyclone, although other sources put this higher.
The storm surge and winds in Sittwe, the state’s capital, damaged almost every building. Bridges collapsed, fishing boats were left in ruins, and healthcare facilities and schools were destroyed.
About 1,182 square kilometres of land were flooded, killing livestock, and contaminating drinking water and farmland.
Prices of food and the supplies needed to repair damaged homes and infrastructure have soared.
UNDP is responding to immediate needs, reaching more than 44,000 people so far. We are focused on helping communities recover as quickly as possible and supporting people to rebuild their livelihoods so they can get back on their feet.
The first order of business is to repair infrastructure and clear roads. This enables businesses to stay open, aid to be delivered and essential services to resume.
UNDP provides people carrying out this work an income, with most of the participants being women and people from internal displacement camps.
Ma Mya Win, who fled fighting to a camp in Sittwe in 2019 and participated in UNDP’s debris clearance, said; “I have become jobless as the tailor shop I used to work in was destroyed by the cyclone. The building collapsed to the ground. The owner has been trying to rebuild it, but it is complicated as the price of the construction materials is double what they used to be.
“I am thankful I found this job while waiting to be back to my tailoring job. I will use this money to buy food for my family. As you know, the food price in Sittwe doubled, and it is difficult for us to feed the children. And the back-to-school season is coming soon [in June] and that money would really help me buy stationery and pay tuition fees for my child.”
Our teams are also distributing seeds and organic fertilizer to provide families with both food to eat and sell, as well as supplies to fix their homes before the monsoon rains come.
With drinking water ponds inundated with salt water and mud, UNDP is drilling new boreholes, and cleaning wells. This is vital to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.
UNDP has also brought people together through community kitchens in Sittwe, covering food and labour costs while local residents cook for as many as 1,000 people.
UNDP is well-placed for both short- and long-term recovery, with a well-established presence in Rakhine State and a wide network of trusted partners. As soon as possible, we will also begin repairing critical infrastructure such as the bridges and village embankments that protect agricultural land.
Other plans include providing support to fishers and farmers to restart their work, helping small businesses to gain access to markets and cash, and ensuring that women have equal employment opportunities.
“The road to recovery for those affected by Cyclone Mocha will be long, but UNDP is ready to meet people’s critical and immediate needs,” said Titon Mitra, UNDP Myanmar Resident Representative.
“We will help people rebuild their livelihoods as quickly as possible so they can earn a stable income and be more resilient to future disasters. We are committed to helping communities rebuild stronger, and ensuring support is sustainable for the weeks, months and years ahead.”..."
Source/publisher:
United Nations Development Programme (New York)
Date of publication:
2023-06-06
Date of entry/update:
2023-06-06
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
UNDP - Burma/Myanmar, Agriculture in Burma/Myanmar: general and research, Food Security and nutrition in Burma/Myanmar, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Natural Disasters - General
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Description:
"Tropical Cyclone MOCHA is likely to cross the coast between Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) and Sittwe (Myanmar) on 14 May with maximum sustained wind speed of 150-160 km/h with gusts up to 175 km/h. Coasts and offshore islands are expected to be inundated with 5-7 feet tidal surge.
In Myanmar, 285 000 displaced people are directly exposed to the Cyclone in Rakhine and Chin. Thousands of families have been pre-evacuated. There are already about 6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and 1.2 million people displaced in the Northwest who are already living in precarious conditions in camps, displacement sites or in forests without proper shelter.
In Bangladesh, 2.8 million people in Bandarban, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and Rangamati are to be evacuated. Refugees’ camps hosting one million Rohingya refugees could be significantly affected. Preparedness activities are still ongoing in terms of prepositioning of stocks and resources. Flights to Cox’s Bazar are cancelled.
In India, heavy to very heavy rain is predicted in the northeast states..."
Source/publisher:
European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
Date of publication:
2023-05-13
Date of entry/update:
2023-05-13
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Cyclones - regional, Natural Disasters - General, Climate Change - Burma/Myanmar: general, Climate Change - Migration Global
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Description:
"Description of the disaster
According to the latest update from DMH, monsoon flooding has hit the lower part of Myanmar following heavy rainfall since the third week of July. The flood has been affecting thousands of households in Shan (East), Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, Mandalay and Tanintharyi. The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) Myanmar reported that the lowpressure area over the North Bay of Bengal persists and will remain until October 2021.
Since, 30 June 2021, the DMH has been issuing flood advisory warnings and warnings regarding weather systems impacting major rivers and their water level. As weather systems come closer and more information on the expected impact becomes available, public warnings on flooding and landslides are being disseminated. Myanmar’s DMH have reported heavy rain since 25 July 2021, with many areas affected by flood. Since mid-July, people and communities have been impacted by ongoing and recurring floods across Myanmar which requires local level response.
The monsoon weather system is strong and active, and on 24 August, DMH forecast predicted water levels may exceed the danger level of major rivers and river dams such as Ayeyarwady River and Sittoung River that are currently in critical situation and could have the ability to impact the most at-risk areas. As of 25 August, the Thanlwin River has exceeded the danger zone (see in Annex forecast).1 There are concerns that the weather system, fluvial floods, and flash floods could cause damage in communities across several regions, particularly in Shan (East), Kayin, Mon, Rakhine,
Tanintharyi, Magway, Mandalay, Kachin, Sagaing and Chin regions. Some of these areas have experienced previous devastation by the flood in 2015 and 2017, with response carried out via operation by IFRC EA MDRMM006. It is estimated more than 1.6 million vulnerable people2 are likely to be impacted by sessional monsoon related disasters.
In addition, Myanmar’s coastline is susceptible to severe cyclones which form in the Bay of Bengal, which has two cyclone seasons: April to May and October to November. Considering this, it is crucial to support MRCS in its capacity to respond timely and effectively to concurrent disasters.
DMH forecasts that the monsoon season will continue until October with medium to heavy rainfall and it is likely that Myanmar will experience new floods, in addition to probable increased severity impacts. In order to better prepare for the potential impacts of the ongoing monsoon season and to allow the National Society to support local authorities' preventative evacuation and initiate immediate disaster response, MRCS together with the support from IFRC CD has requested an imminent crisis DREF allocation fund amount of CHF 150,000. This DREF will help MRCS to prepare and respond to the monsoon season and the high probability disasters that will impact the Myanmar people.
This plan, funded by DREF, details the actions to be taken in view of the upcoming increased rains expected through the procurement of relief items (stocks), mobilization of assets, and personnel (staff and volunteers), preventative evacuations, rapid needs assessments, and distribution of essential household and emergency shelter items if required. This Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) and operations budget will be revised as the situation evolves and scale of disaster changes.
Compounding Risk Factors
1.Ongoing impacts of Civil Unrest in Myanmar since 1 February 2021.
This ongoing crisis has proliferated nationwide civil unrest with significant humanitarian implications.
Basic services including transport, health and banking are affected.
Cash based relief assistance is currently not feasible due to sustained disruptions to the banking sector.
Internationally procured Disaster Preparedness (DP) stock items, require longer lead times due to limited border access and customs delays, linked primarily to the Myanmar civil unrest, but also more recently by COVID-19 pandemic.
2.Ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and a recent renewed outbreak at a national scale, resulting in reduced movement of both people and relief items.
3.Reduced response capacity at a national scale. This situation places additional pressure and expectation on MRCS as a primary responder to people affected by seasonal disaster events from small, medium to large scale scenarios..."
Source/publisher:
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication:
2021-09-01
Date of entry/update:
2021-09-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
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1.18 MB
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"In the sixth month since its forcible and unconstitutional power grab, the junta’s oppressive acts to secure political, territorial, or economic control have escalated conflict and the deadliness of a third wave of COVID-19. COVID-19 ripped ferociously through Burma, where a weakened health system and junta restrictions on treatment measures contributed to untold deaths. As the junta brought testing closer to pre-coup levels, it saw COVID-19 positivity rates up to 40%.
During July alone, security forces killed at least 56 civilians. There were 348 violent attacks that either targeted or failed to protect civilians during 1–23 Jul, and a total 3,446 incidents 1 Feb–23 Jul..."
Source/publisher:
Altsean Burma, Burma Human Rights Network, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, Initiatives for International Dialogue, International Federation for Human Rights, Progressive Voice, US Campaign for Burma, and Women Peace Network
Date of publication:
2021-08-02
Date of entry/update:
2021-08-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Public Health, Right to Health: reports of violations in Burma, Human Rights and international relations, National Unity Government (NUG), Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Burma: Internal displacement/forced migration of several ethnic groups., 2021 Burma/Myanmar coup d'état
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682.21 KB
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Description:
"Myanmar’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) reported heavy rain from 25 July. Mawlamyine in Mon State recorded 553 mm of rain in 48 hours to 27 July.
In a 24 hour period to 27 July, areas of Rakhine State saw particularly heavy rain, including Maungdaw (243 mm) Kyaukpyu (242 mm) and Thandwe (388 mm). Neighbouring parts of Bangladesh also saw heavy rain during this time, resulting in floods and landslides in Cox’s Bazar District.
According to the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) as many as 48,500 people have been affected or displaced by the floods across the 3 states.
In Kayin State, areas of the state capital, Hpa-an, situated on the Salween River (also Thanlwin) have been affected, as well as areas of Myawaddy. As of 28 July, 3,016 people were evacuated/affected and 11,903 persons pre-emptively evacuated into 16 evacuation centres, AHA Centre said. DHM said the Salween River at Hpa-an was about 30cm above the danger mark as of 29 July and is likely to remin high for the next 24 hours. The Thaungyin (also Moei) River at Myawady in Kayin State is also above the danger mark.
In Mon State, 19,840 people were evacuated/affected and 10,770 pre-emptively evacuated into 8 evacuation centres. Flooding has affected areas of Thaton and Mawlamyine in Mon State.
AHA Centre reported 25,799 persons evacuated/affected in Rakhine State, many in areas around Thandwe.
Earlier this month the Red Cross reported flooding in Kengtung township in Shan State, prompting evacuations.
River levels are also high in Bago Region. DHM said that, as of 29 July, the Sittang River at Madauk in Bago Region was about 12 cm above the danger mark but will likely fall in the next 24 hours..."
Source/publisher:
FloodList
Date of publication:
2021-07-29
Date of entry/update:
2021-07-29
Grouping:
Individual Documents
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Description:
"Our team in Myanmar partners with communities near the town of Maubin in the Ayeyarwady River delta. When disaster struck in a different part of the country, though, we joined the relief effort led by our ACT Alliance partners.
During a two-week period in August, eight feet of floodwaters wreaked havoc in towns along the Zami River in Myanmar’s Karen state. Our ACT Alliance partner, Karen Baptist Convention, responded by coordinating a relief effort for 400 families. CWS joined the response, focusing on 187 people living in Htee Pa Htaw Hto village. In all villages where the KBC-coordinated response took place, families received a month’s supply of staples, including rice, oil, beans, salt and toiletries. This made it easier to cope with the disaster–this time.
Having relocated from another area of the country about 20 years ago, residents of Htee Pa Htaw Hto and nearby villages experience floods yearly. However, 2019 has been particularly challenging as extreme flooding destroyed farmland. August floodwaters damaged rice storage containers that held a year’s supply of rice. Paddy seeds for transplanting next season died as well. Lime tree orchards, rubber plants and sesame fields sustained heavy damage. As a result, there is much agricultural work needed to rebuild the area. But rebuilding is no unknown to families here.
During the last major flood in 2012, A Phoo Saw (grandfather) Oh Khu led recovery efforts. After a long career as a health assistant, he had retired. Then neighbors elected him as their village leader. So, in reflecting on the past, while appreciating CWS and KBC help, he expressed restrained happiness. “At present, we do not worry for our current basic needs because we received aid. I appreciate the support especially during a crisis like this.” He noted his happiness would be absolute once neighboring families received help, too..."
Source/publisher:
"Church World Service" (USA) via Reliefweb
Date of publication:
2019-10-29
Date of entry/update:
2019-10-30
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Natural Disasters - General, Climate Change - Migration Regional
Language:
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Description:
"Flooding occurs in wards of Arakan State’s capital Sittwe when it is raining continuously, especially in low-lying areas. Local residents relocate their important possessions from downstairs to upstairs; they have no other options.
Flood disasters in the region became much more apparent two decades ago and the situation has become more precarious.
Some local residents tried to tackle the problems that flooding creates. They have elevated the ground around their homes to keep rising waters from seeping into their homes. They have also built roadside ditches in front of their house to function as makeshift drainage systems. But, the problem of overwhelming flooding that occurs annually cannot be solved because effective plans have yet to drawn up to divert water from vulnerable areas.
Extremely heavy rain causes floods that create deep pools of water, any attempt to successfully reduce the risk of flooding in the region has not been seen so far.
Previously, under junta rule, all houses in the wards in Mrauk-U town were instructed to build roadside ditches in front of each and every house. Residents from wards and villages had to build roadside ditches on days authorities designated. Owners of the land, even if no house was on the property, had come and build roadside ditches for fear of being fined by authorities. But, ditches were not built systematically and lacked maintenance so they became ineffective.
It needs to have a plan that works effectively to alter the movement of water. Elevating the land or digging ditches are not perfect solutions.
Meanwhile, bad planning increases the risks of floods in the region while creeks are shallower than before. Rainwater in Sittwe city flows into river from Myo Lae, Khawathay and Sat Yoe Kya creeks. But, the runoff cannot enter into the river because of the Sittwe city extension project used soil that blocks the natural path of rainwater into the river. That creates higher embankments of land at the mouth of the creeks and rain water gets rerouted into the city.
In addition, a road project under the former chief minister U Maung Maung Own did not include road culverts to redirect the flow water from the wards into rivers. The project makes the road better, but it becomes a barrier for water in the city.
An authority from Shwe Pyar ward said that he was worried that the ward would face more flooding because the water channel from the ward to the river was filled with earth for the city extension project on Strand road. He mentioned to authorities to restructure the water channel, but nothing has been done..."
Source/publisher:
"Development Media Group" (Myanmar) via BNI Multimedia Group (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-09-25
Date of entry/update:
2019-09-26
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Arakan (Rakhine) State - reports etc. by date (latest first), Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Natural Disasters - General, Climate Change - Migration Regional
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Description:
"As of this reporting period, Myanmar Red Cross (MRCS) has reached more than 62,000 people through more than 680 volunteers with different services including dissemination of early warning early action messages, assisting in the evacuation process, managing evacuation sites, rapid needs assessment, provision of first aid services and psychosocial support. MRCS is recognised as one of the main first responders to floods and landslides, and the key actor in coordination with local authorities aiming to reach remote areas. Access of MRCS staff and volunteers to areas submerged in flood waters have been supported through the provision of boats.
MRCS has provided direct assistance in the form of emergency cash amounting to a total of CHF27,000 (MMK41,440,000) to more than 4,000 people in Kachin and Mon states; and household items to more than 22,000 people in various states and regions. These were supported through utilizing existing stocks, the MRCS Emergency Management Fund (EMF), local donors, and the private sector. In addition to the EMF, the MRCS has mobilized additional resources to support the operations through the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF), bilateral support from PNS, and donations from the private sector and local donors.
MRCS Emergency Operation Centres (EOC) in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon have been alert, continuously monitoring and disseminating early warning information, and gathering data on needs and response activities from branches. While full activation of MRCS SOPs was not done, cross-departmental coordination was initiated at the start of the operation through weekly update meetings starting 23 August 2019. Key department representatives from Disaster Management (DM), Health, First Aid and Safety Services (FASS), and WASH Unit were also involved in facilitating the MRCS Response Operation Planning meeting.
Overview of Red Cross Red Crescent Movement in country
IFRC has provided support to the MRCS in developing an overall Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) which encompasses the support from the DREF, other PNS such as the Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) and the German Red Cross (GRC), private sector and local donors. This aims to ensure a comprehensive and coordinate approach on the Floods Operations led by the National Society.
The DREF allocation is complemented with the support from the TRC on replenishment of household items and procurement of boats, and the GRC on trainings, provision of personal protective equipment (PPEs) for staff and volunteers, and the procurement of boats.
Technical support on the development and update of the EPoA, planning on rapid assessment, and coordination were provided by the American Red Cross and the Finnish Red Cross. MRCS has conducted two (2) coordination meetings to share response operation updates and the EPoA with the participation of Movement Partners and weekly update meetings starting 23 August 2019 with MRCS key departments as part of the Emergency Task Force.
With the support from IFRC, MRCS has developed the Procurement Plan and initiated the recruitment process for HR support under the DREF.
MRCS organized a Response Operation Planning meeting on 6 September 2019 with the participation of key departments and representatives from the state/region and township branches.
MRCS, with the support of IFRC, conducted a Communications field visit in Mon and Tanintharyi from 11 – 14 September 2019 to develop communications materials from interviews with communities and branch staff and volunteers involved in the operations.
On 22 August 2019, the IFRC released CHF 299,975 from the DREF to support MRCS respond to the escalating situation, after their own capacity and resources was exceeded. The major donors and partners of the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) include the Red Cross Societies and governments of Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark,
German, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as DG ECHO and Blizzard Entertainment, Mondelez International Foundation, and Fortive Corporation and other corporate and private donors. The IFRC, on behalf of the national society, would like to extend thanks to all for their generous contributions..."
Source/publisher:
International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies via Reliefweb
Date of publication:
2019-09-24
Date of entry/update:
2019-09-25
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Natural Disasters - General, Climate Change - Migration Burma/Myanmar
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347.21 KB
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Sub-title:
Myanmar faces many development challenges, but climate change presents the greatest of all. While the effects of climate change are felt in many ways, it is the threat to the country’s future development that makes it so significant.
Description:
"Myanmar’s location and physical diversity means climate change takes many forms – in the dry zone, temperatures are increasing and droughts are becoming more prevalent, while the coastal zone remains at constant risk of intensifying cyclones. Extreme flooding in the current wet season has seen over 190,000 people seek emergency shelter, with the damage to homes, schools and farms compounding the impact of last year’s floods, and those from the year before.
More intense and frequent climatic events would greatly affect Myanmar, which is already one of the most vulnerable countries to extreme weather events. With memories of 2008’s catastrophic Cyclone Nargis still vivid, the development gains that have been made in recent years remain highly susceptible to such risks.
The need to prepare for, respond to, and recover from, these natural disasters costs time and resources that could otherwise be spent on more pressing development priorities. There is no question that Myanmar must work with the international community to slow down and reverse global warming, while also building its resilience.
The government of Myanmar recognises that a clean environment, with healthy and functioning ecosystems, is the foundation upon which the country’s social, cultural and economic development must be sustained. It has therefore committed to a national development framework that incorporates the notion of environmental sustainability for future generations by systematically embedding environmental and climate considerations into all future policies and projects..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-09-20
Date of entry/update:
2019-09-20
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Burma/Myanmar: general, Climate Change - Migration Burma/Myanmar, The impact of climate change on the environment of Burma/Myanmar, The impact of natural disasters on the environment and people of Burma/Myanmar
Language:
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Description:
"The risks of climate change to Myanmar were discussed at a seminar for MPs organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Naypyitaw this week.
The event held on September 9 gave MPs from seven Hluttaw committees a chance to discuss the issue with three international climate and environment experts working in South East Asia – including Camilla Fenning, the Head of the UK Government’s South East Asia Climate and Energy Network.
Camilla Fenning, Head of the South East Asia Climate and Energy Network, UK Foreign Office, commented that:
“Hearing from MPs about Myanmar’s climate and environmental challenges underlined the need for urgent climate action by all countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and step up collaboration on resilience and climate finance. Discussions also highlighted Myanmar’s huge potential for renewable energy and the economic and environmental benefits investment in green growth could bring.”..."
Source/publisher:
"Mizzima"
Date of publication:
2019-09-14
Date of entry/update:
2019-09-14
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Climate Change - Burma/Myanmar: general, Climate Change - Migration Burma/Myanmar, Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar
Language:
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Description:
"Vast swathes of southeastern Myanmar lie under floodwaters that have already forced tens of thousands to flee their homes as the death toll from a massive landslide hit 59, firefighters say..."
Source/publisher:
"AFP news agency"
Date of publication:
2019-08-12
Date of entry/update:
2019-09-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
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Description:
"At least 90 people were killed with 65 others injured by severe monsoon flooding and landslides, which occurred nationwide in Myanmar since late June this year, an official from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement told Xinhua.
From June 25 to Aug. 26, monsoon rains have led to widespread flooding and landslides, displacing a total of 211,800 residents across Myanmar, said an official from the National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) under the ministry.
During the two-month period, 291 houses were destroyed, along with floods and landslides across the country.
Of affected regions and states, Mon state suffered the most, with 78 deaths, 64 injured and 42,445 victims, as a massive landslide took place at Ma-lat mountain in Paung township earlier this month.
At present, some evacuation sites were closed as residents returned to their homes, but a total of 12 evacuation sites are still open, accommodating 4,485 victims from Bago, Magway, Mandalay regions and Kayin state, the committee official told Xinhua..."
Source/publisher:
"Xinhua"
Date of publication:
2019-08-28
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-29
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Burma/Myanmar
Language:
more
Description:
"The immediate emergency caused by monsoon flooding in mid-August in Myanmar has passed for the time being, with fewer than 4,500 people remaining in temporary evacuation sites across the country. But continued vigilance is advised as the weather forecast predicts that heavy rains will continue throughout what remains of the monsoon season.
As of 26 August, more than half the currently displaced people are in Bago region, where more than 2,500 people were still unable to return home. All evacuation sites in Mon State that had been opened are now officially closed. Magway region has eight remaining sites, while one site remains open in Kayin State and two in Mandalay region. Only 12 sites remain open nation-wide.
Most essential needs were covered by the quick interventions of local communities and national and state first responders, including the Fire Services, the local administration and the Military – as well as the Myanmar Red Cross Society, monasteries, churches and other faith groups, civil society and private individuals.
A number of international agencies also responded to specific gaps. UNICEF, for example, assisted with the provision of containers for storing water, water purification supplies and hygiene kits. WHO also assisted with water purification supplies, emergency medical kits and by sharing technical guidelines on snake bite management with health partners..."
Source/publisher:
"Reliefweb" via UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Date of publication:
2019-08-27
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-27
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
126.85 KB
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Topic:
Description of the disaster
Topic:
Description of the disaster
Description:
"Since 11 July 2019, Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) Emergency Operation Centres (EOC) in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon have been on alert, continuously monitoring the daily weather forecast and warning levels issued by the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) and ensuring contact with staff and volunteers from the affected states and regions.
MRCS has mobilized over 680 volunteers at branch level for the dissemination of early warning early action messages, assisting in the evacuation process, managing evacuation sites, conducting rapid needs assessment, and distributing cash and in-kind items. To date, MRCS has reached approximately 60,000 people with assistance, of which around 17,000 people have received non-food items (NFI) and cash grants amounting to MMK 15,680,000 (CHF 9,985).
Up to 14 August 2019, MRCS utilized local resources including its Emergency Management Fund (EMF), and donations from local donors in the private sector and general public. To date, a total of MMK 7,571,000 (CHF 4,800) has been received in Mon state and at National Headquarters (NHQ) level; and an additional MMK 22,000,000 (CHF 14,000) is expected to be received from other private donors. In-kind donations have also been received including food, water and clothes..."
Source/publisher:
"Reliefweb" via International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies
Date of publication:
2019-08-22
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-25
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
557.59 KB
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Sub-title:
Government officials announced on Monday that 82 people have been killed and about 200,000 displaced by landslides and flooding in Myanmar since June 25. Another 49 people were injured.
Description:
"Mon State was the worst hit area in the country, said an official from the Department of Disaster Management.
The massive landslide that struck Thaphyu Kone village in Paung township in Mon killed at least 73 people and injured 48.
Some 4000 villagers near the site of the disaster were evacuated to safer ground and emergency teams have recovered 69 bodies, the official added.
The department provided rice and other relief items to the families of the victims.
The landslide is said to have been the worst natural disaster in recent memory in Mon.
Due to the heavy rainfall, widespread flooding and landslides, the department has provided relief items and humanitarian assistance toatalling about K404.6 million and received about K105.7 million in donations for the victims around the country.
The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) has had a flood warning in effect since July 10 for people living near the Ayeyarwady, Bilin, Laymyo, and Chindwin rivers. The monsoon this year has brought torrential rainfall in parts of the country since late June..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times"
Date of publication:
2019-08-20
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-22
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Description:
"Until mid-August, floods destroyed more than 20,000 acres of monsoon paddy and maize plantations in Kachin State, according to Kachin State Government.
In July, Putao, Myikyina and Bhamo Districts experienced the floods and landslides due to heavy downpours.
The floods affected 14,304 acres of monsoon paddy plantations owned by 9,473 farmers and destroyed 11,443 acres. The floods also affected 10,876 acres of maize plantations owned by 6711 farmers and destroyed 9,255 acres, according to the Kachin State Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation.
Kyaw Kyaw Win, Kachin State Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation said: “The floods affected 25,238 acres and destroyed 20,747 acres in the whole Kachin State. Defile has made the decline of flooded water slower. The agricultural department plans to help farmers to re-grow the damaged plantations, using the direct seeding method.
The floods damaged mine acres of monsoon paddy in Moegaung Township, 15 acres in Naungmon Township and three acres in Dawphoneyan Township..."
Source/publisher:
"Eleven Media Group"
Date of publication:
2019-08-21
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-21
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
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Description:
"MAWLAMYAING- Over 570,000 acres of monsoon paddy in Mon State have been grown until August 15th but 80,000 acres and more were inundated from the floods, according to the Agriculture Department.
Among over 80,000 acres of flood-hit monsoon paddy fields, more than 50,000 acres are beginning to emerge as the water recedes. However, over 20,000 acres of paddy fields remain submerged in Kyaikmayaw Township.
“The water level increased by double compared to the previous. So, the paddy fields are being flooded. Although water level decreased until yesterday evening, villagers are now going by boats. And then, rain is pouring down. No one can suggest the decrease of water level which depends on the rainfall,” said Naing Tun Kyi from Kyaikmayaw Township.
The head officer of Agriculture Department in Kyaikmayaw Township said that 49,753 acres of monsoon paddy had been grown in Kyaikmayaw Township. But, there were 20,366 acres of flooded paddy fields. The water level of Ahtayan River reached 483 cm in Kyaikmayaw Township. No one knew how many paddy fields were damaged. There was no one for donation of paddy strains. If a person wants to donate the paddy strains, he or she can contact the Flood Supervisory Committee office and Agriculture Department in Kyaikmayaw Township..."
Source/publisher:
"Eleven Media Group"
Date of publication:
2019-08-20
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-21
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Description:
"Flood condition of Shwegyin River: According to the (16:30) hrs M.S.T observation today, the water level of Shwegyin River at Shwegyin has reached its danger level. It may continue to rise from the present water level about (½) foot during the next (1) day and may remain above its danger level.....Advisory: It is especially advised to the people who settle near the river banks and low lying areas in Shwegyin Township to take precaution measure..."
Source/publisher:
"Reliefweb" via Government of Myanmar
Date of publication:
2019-08-17
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-19
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Description:
"People in Myanmar took refuge on their roofs on Sunday as water rushed through the ground level of their homes amid weekend flooding in Mon state's Ye township.
Many villagers were evacuated to a relief camp to escape the floods following torrential rains.
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that monsoon flooding had displaced more than 7,000 people last week in Mon state.
A landslide buried more than a dozen village houses in Paung, houses and a school in other townships were washed away, roads were blocked and villages were submerged.
Nearly 12,000 people were displaced in Myanmar last week alone, bringing the total number of those in evacuation centers to more than 38,000, the U.N. said..."
Source/publisher:
"AP Archive"
Date of publication:
2019-08-16
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-18
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Description:
"Heavy monsoon rain, floods and landslides continue to affect the country resulting in additional deaths and displacing thousands.
According to UN OCHA, at least 80,000 people are displaced and sheltering in 170 evacuation sites across the country. Media report that the number of deaths from the landslide in Paung Township (Mon State) has risen to 61. The mudflow destroyed dozens of houses and displaced 150 people.
For the next 24 hours, heavy rainfall is forecast across the country, particularly in the Lower Sagaing Region..."
Source/publisher:
"Reliefweb"
Date of publication:
2019-08-14
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-15
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Regional
Language:
more
Description:
"A landslide has buried more than a dozen village houses in southeastern Myanmar, killing at least 10 people, injuring nearly 30, and leaving several residents missing.
Rescuers on Saturday used backhoes and bulldozers to clear the mud and debris from the village in Paung township.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that monsoon flooding had displaced more than 7,000 people this week in Mon state.
Apart from the landslide in Paung, houses and a school in other townships were washed away, roads blocked and villages submerged.
Nearly 12,000 people have been displaced in Myanmar this week alone, bringing the total number of those in evacuation centers to more than 38,000, the UN said..."
Source/publisher:
"AP Archive"
Date of publication:
2019-08-14
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-15
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
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Topic:
The death toll from a landslide that struck Thaphyu Kone village near Paung township in Mon State last Friday morning has climbed to 72, said Chief Minister U Aye Zan on Tuesday.
Topic:
The death toll from a landslide that struck Thaphyu Kone village near Paung township in Mon State last Friday morning has climbed to 72, said Chief Minister U Aye Zan on Tuesday.
Description:
"During a press conference at U Aye Zan’s office in Mawlamyine, the chief minister said the bodies of 64 villagers and eight other people have been recovered so far and that search efforts are continuing.
Asked if the site of the disaster would be declared a danger zone, he said, “Not at the moment.” Declaring the site a danger zone would require people in nearby villages to evacuate their homes.
U Aye Zan said the landslide is believed to have been caused by the record-high rainfall of 76.6 centimetres that fell in the area over two days. The water saturated the slopes of a hill called Ma Latt locally, causing it to collapse.
Currently, permission is being sought from the central government to conduct further investigations around the site where the landslide occurred, and geologists will arrive in the coming days, he said, adding that experts from Nay Pyi Taw will be taking aerial photos and videos of the site using drones for analysis, he said.
“Experts from Nay Pyi Taw will come to do analysis. It is too early to say whether the area is suitable to be inhabited or not. It is not a matter that can be decided in one or two days,” he told journalists, adding that houses will be built for all those affected by the natural disaster..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times"
Date of publication:
2019-08-14
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-14
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Regional
Language:
more
Sub-title:
Sixteen students were among the people killed by a landslide that struck Thaphyu Kone village in Paung township in Mon State last Friday morning, the Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday.
Description:
"“Besides the 16 confirmed killed, another 28 students were injured and are being treated in hospital,” Deputy Minister of Education U Win Maw Tun told journalists after the session of the Pyiduangsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union) in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday.
Also on Tuesday, Mon State Chief Minister U Aye Zan said that the number of victims recovered so far had climbed to 72.
Addressing the floods that have stricken Mon State over the last week, U Win Maw Tun said the director general of the Basic Education Department had met with Mon State, township, and district officials to assist schools hit by flooding.
He also said that the families of the students killed and injured in the landslide were given K300,000 each in financial assistance.
Mon, Kayin State, and Taninthayi Region have been hit by flooding in recent weeks and relief centres have been set up at schools, while others have been temporarily closed due to the floods.
The deputy minister also said the representatives in the Assembly expressed their sympathies for the victims of severe flooding in Mon, Kayin, and Tanintharyi, adding that the government will contribute financial aid to the victims..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times"
Date of publication:
2019-08-14
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-14
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Regional
Language:
more
Sub-title:
A senior Mon State official has critised the government’s disaster management efforts in the wake of the flooding that hit the state severely over the past week.
Description:
"Mon State Assembly Deputy Speaker U Aung Naing Oo said more public announcements and supervision were needed.
“Until this morning (Monday), there has been no instruction from the Cabinet. Only the township administrator joined me in carrying out necessary tasks. The Cabinet gave no instructions to him,” he said on Monday.
Many townships in Mon were flooded over the past week due to the monsoon. Kyaikmaraw and Ye townships were among the most severely hit. On Saturday, some 90 percent of Ye was under water, and many said it was the worst flood in 20 years.
“There has been no talk of preventive measures in the recent past. The government should have conducted studies on how to deal with floodwater. During the flooding, it should have made announcements and provided information to people. Whenever it floods now, local officials handle matters with whatever plans they have. It would be better if the government oversaw the efforts,” said U Aung Naing Oo, adding that the failure of the telecommunications network was another major setback.
In Ye township on Monday, water levels were receding gradually, although rescues of trapped people were still being conducted in the villages of Man-aung, Koe Mile, Han Gan and Man Kyin..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times"
Date of publication:
2019-08-13
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-13
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Regional
Language:
more
Description:
"As of Sunday 11 August 2019, there were more than 80,000 people sheltering in evacuation sites across Myanmar, as the country has been battered over the last week by torrential monsoon rains that triggered a landslide in Paung Township, Mon State, killing more than 50 people on Friday, with many people still missing. While in some areas, such as in Kachin and Rakhine States, people returned home once floods subsided, the run-off and continuous heavy rainfalls have rivers swelling and overflowing downstream. Mon State is currently the worst-hit, with more than 26,000 people in evacuation sites, but Bago Region also now has more than 20,000 people displaced by the floods. Kayin State and Sagaing Region are also being buffeted by the rains. Over the next few days, the forecast is for more rain, with the risk of further flooding.
According to Myanmar’s Department of Disaster Management, more than 150,000 people have been cumulatively displaced since the floods began in June. The first responders are local communities themselves – private individuals who bring rice or provide help however they can to people affected by the emergency. In addition, the various authorities in Myanmar – the Fire Services, the local administrations and the Military – as well as the Myanmar Red Cross, monasteries, churches and other faith groups, civil society and the private sector have mobilized to respond. The authorities have moved people to evacuation sites, transported the injured to hospital, and provided food, cash, and non-food items such as blankets, sleeping mats and other essentials. The international humanitarian community is responding when and where the national response capacities become overstretched.
On Tuesday 13 August, a UN-led inter-agency monitoring team will travel to Mon to determine specific needs and gaps in current levels of assistance, where the international community is able to support..."
Source/publisher:
"Reliefweb" via UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Date of publication:
2019-08-12
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-13
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Burma/Myanmar, Burma: Internal displacement/forced migration of several ethnic groups.
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
2.09 MB
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Sub-title:
Flood waters in most parts of Ye township in Mon State began to recede on Sunday, dropping by 30 centimetres as rain that has been hitting the area has stopped for now, said Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House) MP U Myo Win.
Description:
"“The worst flooding seen in Ye was recorded in 1942, and this is the second-worst flooding in 70 years. At present, water is falling gradually although people are still worried and praying there is no more heavy rain coming,” U Myo Win said.
“Last night, the water rose to the upper level of two-storey houses at about 30cm per hour and people were frightened and asking for help before phone connections were lost,” he added.
An estimated 5000 people who were trapped all Saturday night were rescued, and most people have been evacuated to higher ground, including Shwesandaw Pagoda and the train station in town, he said.
“All phone lines were down after 5pm yesterday (Saturday). Of four major phone lines, only one worked but the connection was intermittent. We had no communications with villages, and we dared not go to Chaung Taung village, which was closest to us, because the floodwaters were so strong. We are still disconnected from Han Gan, Chaung Taung, Kyaung and Kyauk Mee Chaung villages,” he said.
In the morning, the sun came out and two motorboats from the regional government arrived, he said..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times"
Date of publication:
2019-08-12
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-12
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Burma/Myanmar: general, Climate Change - Migration Regional, Sea-level rise, Burma/Myanmar
Language:
more
Description:
"A landslide caused by heavy monsoon rains killed at least 13 people and injured dozens more in eastern Myanmar, officials said on Friday (Aug 9), as floods forced tens of thousands across the country to flee their homes.
The deluge of mud engulfed 16 homes and a monastery early Friday in Thae Pyar Kone village in Mon state, district administrator Myo Min Tun told AFP.
"Thirteen people have so far been found dead and 27 taken to hospital in Mawlamyine (Mon state's capital)," he told AFP by phone.
Emergency teams are set to continue the search and rescue operation into Friday night in the hunt for more survivors or to retrieve bodies.
Workers were also trying to unblock the main highway from Yangon to Mawlamyine, buried under up to 1.8m of debris, Myo Min Tun added.
Source/publisher:
"CNA"
Date of publication:
2019-08-09
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Regional
Language:
more
Topic:
"The death toll has risen to 41," township administrator Zaw Moe Aung told AFP on Saturday.
Topic:
"The death toll has risen to 41," township administrator Zaw Moe Aung told AFP on Saturday.
Description:
"MAWLAMYINE, Myanmar: The death toll from a landslide triggered by monsoon rains in eastern Myanmar rose to at least 41, an official said late Saturday (Aug 10), as emergency workers continued for a second night their desperate search through thick mud for the scores feared missing.
A huge brown gash on the hillside marked where the deluge of mud flooded onto Ye Pyar Kone village in Mon state on Friday, wiping out 27 homes.
Search and rescue teams worked through Friday night and into late Saturday, using excavators and their bare hands to recover bodies from the deep sludge.
"The death toll has risen to 41," township administrator Zaw Moe Aung told AFP on Saturday.
Some farm animals, like cows and goats, were found alive, but "there are no humans left alive," he said, adding that the search operations will push through for a second night.
So far, 47 people have been left injured while officials believe that more than 80 people could still be missing.
Source/publisher:
"CNA"
Date of publication:
2019-08-10
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Regional
Language:
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Description:
"• Continuous Monsoon rain since the start of the month resulted to flooding in several areas in Southern Myanmar – Ayeyarwady, Bago, Kayin, Mon, and Tanintharyi.
• According to the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), a rain-induced landslide occurred in a village in Paung Township (Mon State) on Friday. Search & Rescue operations has so far recovered 41 dead bodies, and believed another 41 are still missing. Rescued injured residents are immediately sent to hospitals for medical care.
• DDM is providing relief and cash assistance to affected families. In addition, key Government officials (including the Vice President) inspected the ongoing Search & Rescue operations in the landslide area today, and visited affected families in several areas to provide encouragement and assistance.
• Initial impact data estimates at least 46,000 were displaced across Southern Myanmar due to the flooding, and at least 4,000 houses were damaged. Several bridges and roads were also damaged, further adding challenge to the ongoing disaster response operations. Damage assessment and data gathering is continuously being conducted..."
Source/publisher:
"Reliefweb" via ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance
Date of publication:
2019-08-11
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Burma/Myanmar: general, Climate Change - Migration Burma/Myanmar
Language:
Format :
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Size:
352.18 KB
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Description:
"Heavy monsoon rains have displaced some 26,000 people in 14 townships across southern Myanmar since Saturday.
Affected regions include Karen and Mon states and Bago, Tannithary and Irrawaddy regions.
The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology announced that flooding will continue in Hpa-an, the capital of Karen State, at least until Friday, with water levels on the Salween River exceeding dangerous levels.
Also reaching or exceeding established danger levels are the Bilin River in Mon State, the Sittaung and Shwe Kyin rivers in Bago Region and the Nga Wan River in Irrawaddy Region, while water levels on the Moei River, on the Thailand-Myanmar border, are expected to drop by Thursday, the department said.
A deep tropical depression over India early this week brought heavy rains across Myanmar, with record-setting downpours in Yangon on Wednesday, according to the department.
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement’s Disaster Management Department said that, as of Wednesday, more than 17,300 people from nearly 4,000 households are taking temporary shelter at relief camps, and that they will gradually update that number as more people are affected..."
Source/publisher:
"Reliefweb" via The Irrawaddy
Date of publication:
2019-08-08
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Regional
Language:
more
Description:
" Three people have been killed by monsoon flooding which occurred in Myanmar's states and regions since last month, an official from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement told Xinhua.
"About nine states and regions including Kayin, Mon states and Bago regions have been suffering from monsoon flooding since July. So far, two deaths were reported in Magway region and one in Kachin state," said Daw Phyu Lei Lei Tun, director of disaster management department under the ministry.
At present, flooding displaced over 5,800 residents and about 21 relief camps have been opened to accommodate flood-hit residents in some townships of Kayin state while provision of relief kits to flood victims are being carried out by the ministry in flood affected regions and states, she added.
Meanwhile, water levels of Sittaung, Shwe Kyin, Bago rivers in Bago region and Nga Wun and toe rivers in Ayeyarwady region were forecast to remain above its danger level, according to the latest forecast by the Meteorology and Hydrology Department.
The department also forecast that water levels of Thanlwin, Thaungyin rivers in Kayin state and Bilin river of Mon state will continue rising for at least 24 hours.
Also, the department stated that monsoon is vigorous over the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.
Frequent squalls with rough to very rough seas are forecast to be experienced off and along Myanmar coasts and surface wind speed in squalls may reach 40-45 miles per hour, according to the department's latest weather report..."
Source/publisher:
"Xinhua Net"
Date of publication:
2019-08-07
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Regional
Language:
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Sub-title:
Flooding caused by the first monsoon of the season displaced more than 45,000 people, according to a statement issued by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs-Myanmar (OCHA) on Thursday.
Description:
"Flooding has affected Kachin, Rakhine, Mon and Chin states and Mandalay, Sagaing, Bago and Magwe regions.
Many people have returned home, but more than 11,500 people remain at evacuation centres, as it has not rained for four days at higher altitudes and water is draining to lower-lying areas.
However, rivers are still overflowing their banks and remain at dangerous levels, upstream and downstream. Water flowing along the path of the Ayeyarwady River towards lower Myanmar poses a risk in Mandalay, Magwe and Pyay.
U Kyaw Moe Oo, director general of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, said July and August are among the heaviest for rainfall in Myanmar. This is the beginning of the monsoon season, and heavy rains are expected to continue across the region..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times"
Date of publication:
2019-07-22
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Burma/Myanmar: general
Language:
more
Description:
"SHWEGYIN, Myanmar: Raging floods across Myanmar have forced tens of thousands of people from their homes in recent weeks, officials said on Thursday (Aug 8), as monsoon rains pummel the nation.
Aerial images from Shwegyin township in Bago region showed how the area had become a vast lake of water.
Only the rooftops could be seen of many homes lining the Sittaung river.
Emergency services have been helping bring people to dry ground, many seeking shelter in local monasteries.
Others waded through waist-deep floodwaters or rowed on wooden boats with pets and any belongings they could take with them.
Than Aye, 42, who has diabetes and is partially-sighted, struggled to escape the deluge.
"I could not do anything when the flooding started but then the fire service came to rescue me by boat," he told AFP from the safety of the monastery that has been his home for the last five days.
The most severe flooding is currently in eastern Bago region and Mon and Karen states, according to the social welfare ministry..."
Source/publisher:
"CNA"
Date of publication:
2019-08-08
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Regional
Language:
more
Description:
"Myanmar troops deployed to flood-hit parts of the country Sunday to help with relief efforts after the death toll from a deadly landslide jumped to 48.
Every year monsoon rains hammer Myanmar and other countries across Southeast Asia, submerging homes, displacing thousands and triggering landslides.
But the disaster Friday in southeastern Mon state was the worst in recent memory, and hundreds of emergency response workers were still pulling bodies out of the muddy wreckage early Sunday. "The total death toll reached 48. Search and rescue is still ongoing," Paung township administrator Zaw Moe Aung told AFP.
Heavy rains pounded Mon, Karen and Kachin states, flooding roads and destroying bridges.
As the rainy season reaches its peak, the country's armed forces are pitching in.
"Our regional military commands are working to help with the search and rescue process in disaster areas," Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun told AFP. "Helicopters will be used to supply food."
The bulk of the effort is focused on hard-hit Mon state, which sits on the coast of the Andaman sea..."
Source/publisher:
"VOA" via Agence France-Presse
Date of publication:
2019-08-11
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Regional
Language:
more
Description:
"Nearly 12,000 more people were displaced by monsoon flooding in Myanmar over the last two days, bringing the current total number of people sheltering in evacuation sites due to floods to more than 38,000. More than 105,000 people have been displaced by flooding since late June, with people formerly displaced in Kachin, Rakhine and Chin states having already returned home when floodwaters receded.
Heavy rains are now severely affecting Mon State, with more than 7,000 people displaced in two days. According to the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS), there has been a landslide in Paung Township with houses buried and at least five reported deaths. Other townships have had houses and a school washed away, roads blocked and some towns and villages almost entirely flooded. MRCS is supporting the authorities with evacuations and transfers to hospital in the case of the landslide.
Kayin State and Bago region are also now especially hard-hit, with more than 3,300 and 3,700 additional people displaced respectively in two days. MRCS, local governments, civil society organizations and NGOs have been involved in responding so far, including cash transfers, supplies of rice and non-food items.
Heavy rains will continue across the region, in particular in Chin, Rakhine, Kayin and Mon States and Taninthayi Region..."
Source/publisher:
"Reliefweb via UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Date of publication:
2019-08-09
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-11
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Description:
"Torrential monsoon rains and rising river levels have caused flooding. In Kachin State, according to the State Government, more than 6,200 people have been evacuated to 39 sites in Myitkyina, Bhamo and Shwegu townships as of 13 July. Rakhine, Chin and Mon states are also being hit by floods. (OCHA, 15 Jul 2019)
Heavy rainfall during Myanmar’s monsoon season resulted in the Laymyo River overflowing at the beginning of July. By 14 July, all of the more than 3,400 people living in the IDP camp of Sin Baw Kaing village, Mrauk-U Township, were affected, and had to be relocated...On 14 July, the water level of Laymyo River had risen further above danger level, and was expected to continue for the next two days. There are more than 180,000 residents in Mrauk-U Township, and an increase in flooding has the potential of affecting a higher number of people across the Township, including other IDP camps in the area. (ACAPS, 15 Jul 2019)
In Kachin State, more than 6,200 people are sheltering in 39 sites in Myitkyina, Bhamo and Shwegu. There are no reports of disease outbreak or casualties. Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya townships of Rakhine State, and Belin Township of Mon State are reportedly affected by floods with people evacuated from some areas. National authorities, the Myanmar Red Cross Society, civil society organisations and private donors are responding to the immediate needs of those affected or displaced by floods. By 14 July, all of the more than 3,400 people living in the IDP camp of Sin Baw Kaing village, Mrauk-U Township, were affected, and had to be relocated. Due to the active conflict, a night-time curfew is in place since April 2019 in Mrauk-U, limiting movement and access to services, particularly to healthcare. Internet access is down since 21 June and aid organisations have reported disruption to their activities..."
Source/publisher:
"Reliefweb"
Date of publication:
2019-07-15
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Regional
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Sub-title:
This update is produced by OCHA Myanmar in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 10 to 18 July 2019
Description:
"More than 45,000 people are estimated to have been displaced by flooding in Kachin, Rakhine, Mon and Chin states and Mandalay, Sagaing, Bago and Magway regions in Myanmar.
• In areas at higher altitudes it has not rained for four days, and water is draining off to lower-lying areas. Many people have thus returned home, leaving more than 11,500 people in evacuation centres, according to the most recent data. Data for Kachin, for example, hasn’t been issued yet, but people there are generally returning.
• However, rivers are still overflowing their banks and remain at dangerously high levels, upstream and downstream.
• Areas downstream are of particular concern, as water flows generally to the south/southeast toward Mandalay, Magway and Pyay along the path of the Irrawaddy River and its delta. The situation could deteriorate should it start to rain again, and those areas, including heavily populated Mandalay, are potentially at risk.
• Likewise, the Kaladan River, which runs through Chin State southward into Rakhine State, and the Lay Myo River pose a risk to villages and displacement sites across a wide area that is also currently embroiled in conflict, meaning civilians there are considerably vulnerable.
• This is only the beginning of the monsoon rains. There is a need for vigilance and to maintain preparedness measures, as has been done effectively so far.
The situation remains dynamic and hard to predict. It can quickly change...မြန်မာနိုင်ငံ- ရေကြီး- ရေလျှံခြင်း အကျဉ်းချုပ် အစီရင်ခံစာအမှတ် ၁..."
Source/publisher:
"Reliefweb" via UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Date of publication:
2019-07-18
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Burma/Myanmar, UN System humanitarian assistance
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Description:
"• Monsoon floods that have affected eight states and regions are estimated to have displaced more than 78,000 people.
• Where flood waters have receded, evacuation centres have been closed and people have returned to their homes.
• However, with water moving to the south, floods have affected Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway regions where over 43,000 people were evacuated.
• As of 23 July, more than 40,000 people remain displaced in 39 evacuation centres in these three regions while almost all of the displaced people in other affected states and regions have returned to their homes.
• UN and humanitarian partners are working closely with the authorities, monitoring the situation and ready to reinforce the Government’s response to floods as required... မြန်မာနိုင်ငံ- ရေကြီး- ရေလျှံခြင်း အကျဉ်းချုပ် အစီရင်ခံစာအမှတ်၂..."
Source/publisher:
"Reliefweb" via UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Date of publication:
2019-07-23
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Natural Disasters - General, Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Regional, Climate Change - Migration Burma/Myanmar, UN System humanitarian assistance
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Description:
"Heavy rains have brought flash floods and landslides to Mon state in southern Myanmar. The flooding has damaged a famed Buddhist pagoda, submerged homes and displaced hundreds of people..."
Source/publisher:
"South China Morning Post"
Date of publication:
2018-06-23
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-06
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Flooding in Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Burma/Myanmar, Climate Change - Migration Regional
Language:
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Description:
"Myanmar has been hit by heavy flooding following days of monsoon rains, forcing nearly 20,000 people to evacuate from their homes..."
Source/publisher:
CNA
Date of publication:
2019-07-15
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-06
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
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Description:
"More than 45,000 people are estimated to have been displaced by flooding in Kachin, Rakhine, Mon and Chin states and Mandalay, Sagaing, Bago and Magway regions in Myanmar.
In areas at higher altitudes it has not rained for four days, and water is draining off to lower-lying areas. Many people have thus returned home, leaving more than 11,500 people in evacuation centres, according to the most recent data. Data for Kachin, for example, hasn’t been issued yet, but people there are generally returning.
However, rivers are still overflowing their banks and remain at dangerously high levels, upstream and downstream.
Areas downstream are of particular concern, as water flows generally to the south/southeast toward Mandalay, Magway and Pyay along the path of the Irrawaddy River and its delta. The situation could deteriorate should it start to rain again, and those areas, including heavily populated Mandalay, are potentially at risk.
Likewise, the Kaladan River, which runs through Chin State southward into Rakhine State, and the Lay Myo River pose a risk to villages and displacement sites across a wide area that is also currently embroiled in conflict, meaning civilians there are considerably vulnerable.
This is only the beginning of the monsoon rains. There is a need for vigilance and to maintain preparedness measures, as has been done effectively so far..... မြန်မာနိုင်ငံတွင် မုတ်သုန်ရာသီ ကနဦးရေကြီး၊ ရေလျှံမှုကြောင့် လူဦးရေ ၄၅,ဝဝဝ ကျော် ရေဘေးလွတ်ရာသို့ ရွှေ့ပြောင်းရဟု ခန့်မှန်း"
Source/publisher:
Progressive Voice via "UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs"
Date of publication:
2019-07-18
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-26
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
Format :
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Size:
383.45 KB 272.88 KB
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Description:
" Myanmar's Meteorology and Hydrology Department have warned residents in Mon state to be aware of floods due to rising water level in the next 24 hours, Xinhua reported.
People residing near the river bank and low-lying areas are warned to take precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, people in Mrauk-U, Rakhine state, were also warned of floods due to the rising water level of Lemyo river and the Meteorology and Hydrology Department forecast that the water level will reach its danger level in next 48 hours.
Flash floods and landslides accompanied by heavy rainfall and strong wind are frequent in Myanmar during the monsoon period, especially in hilly areas and low-lying areas..."
Source/publisher:
Myanmar Water Portal via "Mizzima"
Date of publication:
2019-07-19
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-25
Grouping:
Individual Documents
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Description:
"The level of water in the Ayeyawady River, which crossed the danger mark on 21 July in Mandalay, is expected to recede over the next few days, according to the upper Myanmar weather bureau.
"The river stopped rising on Sunday. We forecast the water level will recede about 2 centimetres on 22 July. It will fall below the danger mark after 24 July," said U Kyaw Lwin Oo, the Director of the Upper Myanmar Meteorological and Hydrological Department.
On Saturday, the water reached 1,285 cm, 25 cm above the danger mark, but the level remained unchanged the rest of the day. The water level in the river had reached a record of 1,382 cm in 2004.
"The embankment in Mandalay is safe until the river water reaches 50 cm above the danger mark. But, areas where the embankment is lower, especially in Amarapura Township, should be on alert for floods," U Kyaw Lwin Oo added.
The current water level does not pose a threat to residents as the embankment is higher than in 2004, he said. The Mandalay City Development Committee has collected over 30,000 sandbags as part of preparedness for possible flooding..."
Source/publisher:
Myanmar Water Portal
Date of publication:
2019-07-22
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-24
Grouping:
Individual Documents
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Description:
"More than 8,000 people from over 2,000 family households from 13 villages and wards in Sagaing Township, Sagaing Region, are evacuated as flood water from Ayeyawady River flowed into the areas, according to Sagaing Township Management Committee.
The flood victims are now staying at places in Sagaing and Ngarhtetgyi and Sinmyarshin pagodas to avoid the floods.
Khin Maung Hla, advocate of the region, Moe Kyaw Thu, regional minister for immigration and human resources, Dr Ko Ko Naing, director general of natural disaster management department and the district administrator visited the flood relief camps to aid Ks18 million.
"We are coming to provide flood relief aid to flood victims with the cooperation between the ministry and regional government. We provided cash for seven days provisions and Ks2,100 for each victim. It will ease their trouble for a little. More flood relief will be followed later if the flood period is long," said Dr Ko Ko Naing.
Water level in Ayeywawady River in Sagaing is reached over its danger level on July 22 and the authorities are measuring water level three times a day, according to the department of meteorology and hydrology for Sagaing district..."
Source/publisher:
Myanmar Water Portal
Date of publication:
2019-07-24
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-24
Grouping:
Individual Documents
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Sub-title:
23 July 19 - Source: Myanmar Times - Hundreds of houses in the Shwe Kyat Yat village tract in Amarapura township, Mandalay Region, have been flooded due to rising water from the Ayeyarwady River, says a village elder in the area.
Description:
""The Ayeyarwady River has been rising since last week and flooded villages near the river. Fourteen out of 24 villages in the Shwe Kyat Yat village tract have flooded. Although the water level has stopped rising this week, we will have to be wary at least until next month," said U Than Aung, the 100-houses-group elder for Moe Kaung village.
"At least 1000 houses have been affected by flooding and we're still making a list of victims and household numbers. We have to wait and see whether the water keeps rising. The river may rise again. Some flood victims are living in temporary tents on roads near their villages. Some have moved to their relatives' houses. Currently, there is no one to assist them. The most pressing need right now is clean drinking water. It would also be good if they get food than can be cooked easily," he said.
"The danger level of the Ayeyarwady River near Mandalay city is 12.6 metres, and villages in Amarapura township that are located near the river suffer flooding annually. The Ayeyarwady River was about a metre below its danger level on July 14 and it increased a lot after July 18," said U Win Than Hlaing, head of the River Water Guard Office in Chan Aye Tharzan township, Mandalay city.
"On Sunday, the water level was over 30 centimetres above the critical level and it only dropped a bit on Monday. As there are still strong rains expected in the northern part of the country, we need to remain cautious," said U Win Than Hlaing..."
Source/publisher:
Myanmar Water Portal
Date of publication:
2019-07-24
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-24
Grouping:
Individual Documents
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Description:
"Some 6,000 people evacuated their homes in three townships of Mandalay Region until yesterday. A total of 5,889 locals from 1,269 households in Tada-U, Sintgu and Thabaikkyin townships are now taking shelters at nearby schools and monasteries after the torrential rainfalls started in last week.
U Aye Min Thu, Director of Mandalay Region Disaster Management Department, said, "We helped 5,889 people evacuate their homes in three townships and have provided them with rice and dry rations even enough for a week." Flood evacuees included 108 from Tada-U, 688 from Sintgu and 5,093 from Thabaikkyin townships respectively.
The director also said the department will help in more areas with the possible risks of flood.—Min Htet Aung (Sub-printing House)..."
Source/publisher:
Myanmar Water Portal
Date of publication:
2019-07-22
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-24
Grouping:
Individual Documents
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Sub-title:
More than 23,000 people have been affected by floods as a result of heavy rains across Myanmar so far this month, according to the Disaster Management Department.
Description:
"Most of the casualties have been in Kachin State in northern Myanmar. More than 15,000 in Myitkyina, Paletwa, Hkamti, Katha and smaller villages have been affected or displaced by floods.
Daw Sanda Hlaing, an officer at the Kachin Disaster Management Department, said 24 relief camps have opened in Myitkyina providing shelter and support to those affected.
She added that although flood waters appear to be receding for now, conditions are not yet safe for those now seeking shelter at the camps to return home.
Regional officials have distributed rice at the relief camps, which are mostly set up in religious buildings and schools with sufficient capacity to provide shelter from the floods.
The current floods are not the worst Myanmar has experienced. "We faced worst storms and flooding in 2004. However, current water levels are still over the danger zone," Daw Sanda Hlaing said.
Heavy showers in recent weeks have seen water levels in major rivers like the Ayeyarwady, Chindwin, Sitaung, Kaletan and Laymyo rising, leading to floods in some regions and states. Mon, Sagaing, Chin and Rakhine states are also experiencing floods.
River levels in Myitkyina, Bhamo, Shwegu, Katha, Hkamti, Humalin, Taungngu, Maduck, Paletwa, Kyauktaw and Mrauk-U are all above their danger zones.
The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) has advised people who live close to the river and low-lying areas in Homalin, Katha, Paletwa and Kyauktaw to take precautionary measures.
Although thousands have been affected by the rising water levels, relief camps have yet to be set up in most areas, an official of the Chin State Disaster Management Department said.
The DMH has warned of heavy rains in Karen, Tanintharyi and Mon regions coming from the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal over the next two days..."
Source/publisher:
Myanmar Water Portal via "Myanmar Times"
Date of publication:
2018-07-15
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-24
Grouping:
Individual Documents
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Description:
"Youth and former drug users volunteered support in Myitkyina as the Ayeyarwady River broke its banks and flooded the Kachin State capital, affecting more than 10,000 people.
With water rapidly rising in several quarters of Myitkyina and residents packing and preparing to move, former drug users from the Care Hands Youth Reform Organisation, known in Jinghpaw as Ram Hkye Shalat, travelled to flood-affected neighbourhoods to help people move their possessions to safety.
Brang San, 20, was working with a team of 12 at the home and art gallery of Nhkum Brang, in Shatapru ward, to carry the painter's work to higher ground on Friday night.
"If the water comes, we will move everything," he told Frontier. "We will do what we need to do to help, even if it takes the whole night."
On July 10 the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology issued a flood warning, which said the Ayeyarwady River was within a few feet of reaching danger levels in Myitkyina, Bhamo and Shwegu.
The department also warned that the river could reach these levels within two days in Myitkyina and Shwegu, and three days in Bhamo, and urged people in low-lying areas to take precautions. A boy leans out of the window of his flooded home in Gyet Poung Chan ward. (Emily Fishbein | Frontier)
By July 11, much of Kachin National Manau Park in Myitkyina was submerged and the main gate was impassable. By the following evening at the park's riverside Lung Ga Pa Kachin Traditional Restaurant, only the thatched roofs of the restaurant's huts were visible..."
Source/publisher:
Myanmar Water Portal
Date of publication:
2019-07-18
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-24
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
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