Without power, the water wells do not have the capacity to pump clean water.

MYANMAR - Operation Blessing has teamed up with local residents, aid workers and medical staff to help get food, water and aid to the survivors of Cyclone Nargis.

"Two major projects are underway, which will save thousands of lives as well as prevent much disease and suffering," said Operation Blessing President Bill Horan.

The first project is aimed at providing electricity for existing water wells. The cyclone obliterated most of the electrical supply in the region, and officials report it could take between 3 and 6 months to have power lines repaired.

"Many orphanages and churches have perfectly good wells, but since the storm, they have no capacity to pump water because the power is out," Horan said. "Clean drinking water is the greatest single need facing storm victims."

The generator project includes purchasing and installing 40 diesel generators, which will provide electricity to existing wells and pump fresh drinking water to the surrounding community at each site.  The generators will be put in place, monitored and maintained by an electrician and team provided by an OBI partner based in Myanmar.  

"OBI will fund the purchase as well as a 3 month fuel supply, delivery, wiring and installation of all 40 units," Horan said. "This project will provide safe drinking water to thousands of victims and empower locals to be a blessing to their community during this crisis."

Each well serves an average of 500 people per day. The whole project with all 40 generators in place will meet the needs of an estimated 20,000 people on a daily basis.

After the current crisis passes, the generators will remain in place to serve as sources of emergency power in the event of future disasters or power outages.

The second project tackles the issue of emergency medical care by providing mobile medical teams.

Flooded regions and contaminated water sources can quickly become a breeding ground for a growing number of diseases and infections including intestinal disorders, respiratory illnesses, skin infections and diarrhea.

"After drinking water, medical care is the most urgent need of victims," Horan said. "Many days after the cyclone there are still countless injured people who have not received any medical attention."

Flooded regions and contaminated water sources can quickly become a breeding ground for a growing number of cases of disease including intestinal disorders, respiratory illnesses, skin infections and diarrhea.

OBI will hire local medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists for emergency medical missions in the delta region and affected area around Yangon.  

The plan is to form five teams, each team consisting of two doctors, two nurses and one pharmacist. Teams will work five days a week for three months, providing primary healthcare and minor surgical procedures.  

"By using local doctors and staff we can access the very hardest hit areas without restriction," Horan said.

Each team will serve an average of 200 people per day, allowing the project to serve an estimated total of 60,000 victims.

OBI will provide wages, medications and transportation for the five teams. OBI’s local partner will provide administration, coordination and in-country management.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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