Hundreds of thousands of people lost their homes when the cyclone Mocha hit the country a week ago with 250 kilometers per hour. Mission East provides disaster aid to the Mara people, who are already struggling with poverty.

Hundreds of thousands have become homeless in Myanmar after the cyclone Mocha hit the country’s west coast on 14 May. Chin state, where Mission East supports the Mara people, is also hard hit.

Just in the town of Lailenpi, where the partner organization Mara Evangelical Church has its headquarters, 204 houses are destroyed and over 1000 people homeless. 19 public buildings are also destroyed, including the city’s schools and churches.

– It is a disaster for these people, who are already incredibly vulnerable. The region will soon be hit by heavy monsoon rain, and it is crucial for the population to be able to seek shelter, says Mission East’s secretary general Betina Gollander-Jensen.

Mission East sends DKK 100,000 to quickly provide shelter for the homeless families. The UN warns that it is a race against time if people are not to be infected by waterborne diseases.

Hundreds of thousands have lost their homes and access to clean water and healthcare. Many are already malnourished, some are ill and suffer from disabilities – and countless must endure an insecure existence as displaced persons in refugee camps.

About 1.6 million people are affected by the hurricane, which is considered the most violent in Myanmar’s history. The hurricane particularly hit the poor provinces of Rakhine, Chin, Magway, Sagaing and Kachin with a storm force of 250 kilometers per hour.

The Mara people in Chin State are extremely poor and need all the help they can get to feed themselves. For this reason, Mission East has over 10 years educated the population in varied and sustainable cultivation with respect for the nature’s resources. The organization also supports a school where sustainable agriculture is part of the curriculum, so that the next generation can eventually lead the people out of poverty.

Mission East has provided development aid to the Mara people since 2013. The DKK 100,000 from Danida’s flexible funds is sent as emergency aid. Now more money is being collected so that the Mara people can survive the ravages of the cyclone and get back on their feet.