Source: Malaysian Medical Relief Society (MERCY)
Date: 12 Mar 2009
On May 3, 2008, a 190kph cyclone dubbed Cyclone Nargis devastated Myanmar. She caused damage to a 30,000 square-kilometre area, leaving thousands in need of medical attention, safe water, food and other basic items.
MERCY Malaysia was among non-governmental organisations which extended its assistance to the Cyclone survivors. In the initial phase, MERCY Malaysia provided hygiene kits, trained Myanmar doctors in emergency medicine and provided medical services through mobile and static clinics.
In the later phase, MERCY Malaysia was given the responsibility to rebuild several health facilities in the Daedaye Township, located in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, nearly three hours from Yangon.
MERCY Malaysia was tasked to rebuild nine healthcare centres in the Daedaye Township, most of which were severely destroyed by the Cyclone , among them sub-rural health centres and rural health centres.
Recently, MERCY Malaysia completed the rebuilding of the first facility – the Chaung Hpyar Sub-rural Health Centre. The facility will be was completely destroyed by Cyclone Nargis last year.
Among the features of the Chaung Hpyar SRHC are:
- Cyclone and earthquake resistant
- Semi-slab roof around the building which allows for escape during serious floods
- Solar power
- Rain water collection
- Reinforced concrete flooring
- Back-up generator
- Tube well
The Chaung Hpyar SRHC was re-constructed by MERCY Malaysia after it was destroyed by Cyclone Nargis in 2008.
MERCY Malaysia strives to engage local partners in areas where it works, and this facility was borne out of the dedication of Malaysians and Myanmar's local communities. MERCY Malaysia is proud to announce that the Chaung Hpyar SRHC will be handed over Myanmar health officials on March 22, 2009.
MERCY Malaysia strives to engage local partners in areas where it works, and this facility was borne out of the dedication of Malaysians and Myanmar's local communities. MERCY Malaysia is proud to announce that the Chaung Hpyar SRHC will be handed over Myanmar health officials on March 22, 2009.
Workers placing a concrete slab on the roof of the Chaung Hpyar SRHC
MERCY Malaysia strives to engage local partners in areas where it works, and this facility was borne out of the dedication of Malaysians and Myanmar's local communities. MERCY Malaysia is proud to announce that the Chaung Hpyar SRHC will be handed over Myanmar health officials on March 22, 2009.
The strength of Chaung Hpyar SRHC's infrastructure will allow it to be used as a cyclone shelter in the event there is another natural disaster. This "build back better" concept will be duplicated in all MERCY Malaysia centres in Daedaye to lower the impact of damage to health facilities.
Last year, as a result of Cyclone Nargis, two-thirds of health its facilities in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta were damaged and a fifth were totally destroyed. Furthermore, 80 per cent of the community needs to travel at least more than 1 hour to health facility, hence MERCY Malaysia's focus on rebuilding damaged healthcare facilities in the Daedeye, one of the most affected Townships in the Delta.
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