MYANMAR / TSUNAMI+5

A remote fishing community in southwest Myanmar is still recovering from the shock and loss of recent disasters. Since the tsunami struck five years ago, they have also suffered through Cyclone Mala in April of 2006 and the devastating Cyclone Nargis in May of 2008. UNICEF

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:36
• Production Date: 28 December 2009
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND - UNICEF
• Subject Topical: HUMANITARIAN RELIEF; DISASTER PREVENTION; DISASTER PREPAREDNESS; DISASTER RELIEF
• Geographic Subject: MYANMAR
• MAMS Id: U091228b

Description

STORY: MYANMAR / TSUNAMI + 5
TRT: 2:36
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / MYANMAR / NATS

DATELINE: FILE

Shotlist

FILE - 7-10 NOVEMBER 2009, NGAPUTAW TOWNSHIP, IRRAWADDY DIVISION

1. Wide shot, waves breaking on shore
2. Wide shot, fisherman with nets
3. Wide shot, fisher people sorting fish
4. Wide shot, boats on shore
5. Wide shot, single boat rowing to shore
6. Wide shot, mud

FILE - 7 MAY 2008, YANGON, MYANMAR

7. Wide shot, wreckage
8. Wide shot, downed trees

FILE - 11 MAY 2008, PYAPON VILLAGE, MYANMAR

9. Wide shot, homes destroyed
10. Wide shot, destruction

FILE - 7-10 NOVEMBER 2009, NGAPUTAW TOWNSHIP, AYEYARWADDY DIVISION

11. Wide shot, children playing near water
12. Med shot, children sitting on bench
13. Wide shot, man carrying bundle near fishing boat
14. Close up, Phyo
15. Med shot, Phyo sorting shrimp
16. Close up, shrimp
17. SOUNDBITE (Myanmar) Phyo Ei, 16:
“We suffered this common tragedy. I still wait for my mother. Her body wasn’t found. As they tell me, I know it is quite impossible. But I hope against hope. Affected by so many disasters, I have now learned what to do and how to be prepared when the water level rises.”
18. SOUNDBITE (Myanmar) Hnin Hnin Ei, 30, mother of 14 year-old daughter:
“After the Tsunami, we were hit by Cyclone Mala then Cyclone Nargis. I lost everything and everyone in my family, only my daughter and I were spared. I need a job, a job with which I can support my daughter’s education. She had to drop out from after grade six. Our livelihoods were totally disrupted and our lives became harder.”
19. Wide shot, various children
20. Wide shot, men collecting dried fish
21. Wide shot, pan left, road with new homes built
22. Wide shot, new building under construction
23. Wide shot, people with jerry cans
24. Wide shot, children at UNICEF water container
25. SOUNDBITE (Myanmar) April Myo, midwife:
“Drinking water is always a problem especially in the dry season. The water in our surroundings is salty and we cannot drink it or use is. So water is our utmost need.”
26. Wide shot, children playing football
27. Wide shot, carrying water
28. Wide shot, carrying baskets
29. Med shot, sorting fish
30. Wide shot, children playing

Storyline

Despite the appearance of normal daily lives here in a remote fishing community in southwest Myanmar, the community is still recovering from the shock and loss of recent disasters.

During the past five years since the tsunami of December 2004, they have also suffered through Cyclone Mala in April of 2006 and the devastating Cyclone Nargis in May of 2008 which hit areas already ravaged by the tsunami, including many small fishing villages.

The situation of children and families in the affected areas remains a challenge. More than 90 per cent of fishermen in the area lost their livelihoods in a single night which resulted in further deteriorating poverty for many families.

Cyclone Nargis killed more than two thirds of the population in one community here and much of UNICEF’s emergency work in response to the Tsunami was also destroyed.

Phyo lives with her father, the only other survivor in her family and helps him with his shrimp business.

SOUNDBITE (Myanmar) Phyo Ei, 16:
“We suffered this common tragedy. I still wait for my mother. Her body wasn’t found. As they tell me, I know it is quite impossible. But I hope against hope. Affected by so many disasters, I have now learned what to do and how to be prepared when the water level rises.”

SOUNDBITE (Myanmar) Hnin Hnin Ei, 30, mother of 14 years old daughter:
“After the tsunami, we were hit by Cyclone Mala then Cyclone Nargis. I lost everything and everyone in my family, only my daughter and I were spared. I need a job, a job with which I can support my daughter’s education. She had to drop out from after grade six. Our livelihoods were totally disrupted and our lives became harder.”

The situation has improved however, as the response to the tsunami brought in humanitarian assistance which has encouraged development in the area.

One of the largest transformations here has been the introduction of new homes, a rural health centre and a brand new school.

UNICEF is helping children and mothers by providing child survival kits and essential drugs to the rural health centre.

SOUNDBITE (Myanmar) April Myo, midwife:
“Here at the RHC, I am at the clinic on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for antenatal care. I also visit homes to provide postnatal care for mothers.”

But access to safe drinking water remains a major challenge for the community.

SOUNDBITE (Myanmar) April Myo, midwife:
“Drinking water is always a problem especially in the dry season. The water in our surroundings is salty and we cannot drink it or use is. So water is our utmost need.”

While the resilience of the community plays a major role in rebuilding lives, UNICEF will continue to assist in the recovery of the affected people, particularly children, as much more remains to be done in this suffering region.