Relentless flooding in Myanmar's delta region - Kyangin
Htwe’s Family
The flood swept into their home in the middle of the night. Eleven-year-old Htwe says the water quickly engulfed the floor. Htwe lives along the banks of a canal prone to flooding. Although the flooding usually happens every year in this area of Kyangin, this year is worse than others.
“I worried that our home would be inundated with water and destroyed. I worried that my grandmother would slip and drown in the water,” says Htwe, a Grade 6 student.
“When the flooding began, I helped my grandmother pack clothes. Then I packed my school exercise books,” Htwe says.
“On my way to evacuation centre, I saw many other people were coming there as well,” Htwe adds.
“I have been in this evacuation centre for 8 days. I feel bad using for this dirty water from the river to bathe because it irritates my skin,” Htwe says.
Thin’s Family
“The flooding began on 31 July. As soon as the water level increased, I took my daughter and grandchildren to the monastery, which is on higher ground, by boat,” shares Daw Nwet, Thin’s mother.
“While I was packing the bed, household utensils and family registration form, the water level increased quickly,” she adds.
“I helped my mom pack clothes,” says Thin, Daw Nwet’s daughter.
“Our house is about 6 feet tall. In previous years the water just rose up to my ankles,” recalls Daw Nwet. “This time I didn’t have enough time to move all my things because the water flow was so rough.”
Daw Nwet lives along the banks of a canal prone to flooding, where the water flows from the vast Ayeyarwady River. In the village, most of the families rely on growing groundnuts and sesame for their livelihood.
Homes have been inundated with water, schools closed, and paddy, sesame, and groundnut fields destroyed. Families are now travelling by boat, instead of road.
“I saw thatch roofs and some house wood drifting and floating in the water,” says Thin.
“When the flood was starting, I was so worried. I lost my groundnut fields, clothes, and some household equipment. I lost roof and walls,” says Daw Nwet.
“I am worried about how we can move on and survive,” says Daw Nwet.
“I feel so sad that I cannot go to school. I want to see my friends. I hope I will have a chance to go to school in a couple of days,” says Thin.
“Now I have nothing left to rebuild my home, I have no home to live in,” says Daw Nwet.
World Vision is responding to Myanmar’s flooding – providing food and water to the affected families.
World Vision is responding
Children’s safety is a concern. Often children want to play in the water but the flow may be strong, increasing the risk of drowning and there is an increased risk of water-borne diseases spreading.
World Vision is providing families with access to clean water with water purification tablets in our current project areas in Chin State, Magway and Ayeyarwady regions.
The Myanmar government is leading the response and World Vision will be working alongside the government to respond to the issue and coordinate its response with government stakeholders. This way, we aim to ensure that we reach the most adversely affected and that we do not overlap aid.