Cyclone Giri - Two Years On - Burma Action Ireland

Arakan Human Rights and Development Organisation
15. Mraybon Ohn Chaung Ohn Chaung 20
16. Mraybon Ohn Chaung Pyin Wan 60
17. Mraybon Pauk Tu Taung Pauk Tu Taung 5
18. Mraybon Pyayt Chaung Min Chaung 11
19. Mraybon Pyin Chaung Pyin Chaung 1
20. Mraybon Shauk Chon Kyant Hin Khar 1
21. Mraybon Shauk Chon Kyar Inn Taung 2
22. Mraybon Sin Kyat Shin Taung 1
23. Mraybon Taung Shey Taung Shey (Lower) 1
24. Mraybon Wa Baw Gyi Wa Baw Gyi 30
25. Mraybon Yae Gaung Chaung Taung Zaing 3
26. Mraybon Yae Ni Gyi Thin Paung Chaung 1
27. Mraybon Yae Ni Gyi Yae Ni Gyi 10
28. Mraybon Yae Shin Yae Shin 2
29. Mraybon Yoe Sa Nwin Maung Chaung 3
30. Mraybon Yoe Sa Nwin Nat Hla 1
31. Mraybon Kyaung Taung Cheit Taung 2
32. Mraybon Kywe Tet Kywe Tet 1
33. Mraybon May Lun May Lun 1
34. Mraybon Zin Yin Maw Zin Yin Maw 6
35. Mraybon Lat Pan Kaing 1
36. Mraybon Myi Thar Yar 6
37. Mraybon Toe Choung 6
38. Mraybon Yon Koung Maw 1
39. Mraybon Ywar Thit 1
40. Mraybon Htoo Chay 1
41. Mraybon Doe Poe 5
42. Mraybon Kayan Gyi 1
Total 232
Many villagers also faced a shortage of clean water as the tidal surge created by the cyclone had overrun
the embankments contaminating the drinking water ponds with sea water. In some places, such as Taung
Yin Gyi Village, Ngapi Pyin Village and Kant Belu Village, Mraybon Township, the villagers suffered and
some died from acute diarrhoea due to contaminated drinking water. 166 In Kyaukphru Township four
people died of diarrhoea. 167 The survivors also fell victim to other illnesses caused by malnutrition due to
food shortages and poor quality food.
We interviewed a man from Ngarachai Village, Pauktaw Township, who said that there was no medicine
available when people were ill. He lost his appetite and felt depressed due to the cyclone. Although there
was an army clinic, 168 most villagers were afraid to go there and preferred to buy medicine from the local
shop if donors gave them money (see interview excerpt 4 in Annexure I).
One aspect of the impact of natural disasters on the affected community that is often overlooked is the
psychological damage such a great loss can cause. 169 This was, however, also identified by the Inter-
Agency Real Time Evaluation of the Response to Cyclone Nargis (IA RTE) as a potential gap in relief
assistance: the severe stress in communities realising just how vulnerable they are if another cyclone
strikes. 170 In the aftermath of Cyclone Giri many people were suffering from post-traumatic stress and at
least 2 men, U Aung Kyaw Sein and the other unknown, both from Mraybon Township, committed
suicide by hanging. 171 None of our interviewees mentioned that any psychological care was provided,
either by the government or the INGOs. 172
Additionally, OCHA stated in its situation reports that 101,923 people were left homeless and a total of
260,000 were affected by Cyclone Giri. 173 However, local sources suggest that the impact was actually
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