Cyclone Giri - Two Years On - Burma Action Ireland

Arakan Human Rights and Development Organisation
4.
Gender: Male Place of Interview: Prumwun Village, Mraybon Township
Age: 52 Date of interview: September 30, 2012
Profession: Fisherman Type of interview: Written
Q: Was your family affected by Cyclone Giri
A: Yes, our house and fishing equipment were terribly destroyed, we didn’t have anything left as family
possessions or belongings; all were damaged and lost by the cyclone.
Q: Did you get any support for the rebuilding of your family
A: Yes of course, we did get some emergency assistance especially rice for a month and some roofing
materials, but we didn’t get any big support as capital investment for the rebuilding of our family
livelihood, especially needed for buying fishing equipment such as fishing nets and boats. As you know,
it’s really difficult to rebuild our broken livelihood without any assistance from the government or
(I)NGOs. So we still have many challenges to able be able to rebuild our family livelihoods ravaged by
the cyclone.
Q: So how do you support your family now
A: It’s really a tough question, not only for me but also other villagers, as nobody from my village has
received enough support for rebuilding their family livelihoods. So we are still in need of support for
the rebuilding effort of our broken livelihoods.
Q: Could you please explain current situation in your village
A: As you know, our village was fully damaged, affecting every family in the village. Of course we did
get some support for the time of emergency relief period of a few months. But we didn’t receive big
assistance as capital investment for buying fishing or agricultural equipment to rebuild their broken
livelihoods. So, most of the families have had many challenges to rebuild with our family members,
since we still don’t have big support as capital investment.
Q: Do you have anything to say to the government and INGOs
A: After any natural disaster, I think any local government is fully responsible to take care of and
support their own badly affected citizens. But it’s totally different between other countries and in
Burma where very little assistance is provided by the government to vulnerable and badly affected
communities. Worse [the government] exploited the victims of Cyclone Giri by exchanging some relief
items and votes during the elections; for gaining support from uneducated and affected rural folks. I
think it’s not a good way to take advantage of the people badly affected by the disaster. Instead they
should support anyone or any family who are in trouble whether [the victims of the disaster] support to
the government or not.
5.
Gender: Male Place of Interview: Taunggoat
Age: 48 Date of interview: October 12, 2012
Profession: Teacher and relief worker
Type of interview: Phone
Q: Could you please explain your experiences on the trip you took to the most affected by cyclone Giri
A: We went to a few villages that were badly affected, and remote areas in Mraybon and Kyaukphru
townships for some relief supplies. On the way to Mraybon Township we were inspected by the army
personnel for some questions on where we would go and how many sacks of rice were included in the
boat, etc. We were very surprised and angry with the inspection from the army personnel at the time of
emergency relief distribution. We went there for not only for the relief supplies but also to check the
emergency situation. Actually we brought only very limited relief items, especially rice.
Q: Did you have any difficulty in distributing relief to the affected villagers
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