Myanmar flood relief

In July 2015, torrential rains triggered by Cyclone Komen caused major flooding and landslides. In total, these left around 110 people dead, 333,000 households displaced, and damaged over 910,000 acres of farmland across Myanmar.

The population of the Ayeyarwaddy region has been the hardest hit, while Hpa-an and Hlaingbwe Townships in Kayin State, where PWJ has been implementing a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) project with support from the JTI Foundation since 2014, have also been severely affected.

As floodwaters recede, cleaning and repairing of houses, infrastructure and farmland is starting in the worst affected areas of the country. This project will provide assistance across these key areas to two communities severely affected by flooding.

The program addresses the different needs of the two beneficiary communities in Ayeyerwaddy and Kayin with a range of activities. These include the supply of equipment for cleaning and reparing damaged houses, WASH facilities such as wells, latrines and water filtering systems, the construction of shelters, and the provision of motor boats to reach waterlogged areas.

These activities are designed to promote rapid recovery in target communities through the renovation of private properties and public infrastructure damaged by floods. The program will also improve the resilience of target communities, and enhance the preparedness of local authorities, in the event of future disasters. Through a ‘building back better’ approach, private dwellings and public infrastructure will be better able to withstand the impact of future floods and landslides.