Swiss Solidarity hails Myanmar aid success
Swiss have given SFr4.5 million ($4 million) to victims of the Myanmar cyclone through an appeal launched by umbrella fund-raising organisation Swiss Solidarity.
Half of the money has been spent on emergency aid while the remainder is earmarked for restructuring projects to be delivered by partner aid agencies.
Although official obstruction by the military regime in Myanmar hindered the distribution of aid, Swiss Solidarity said the overall results were positive, largely because the population knew how to help themselves.
“With the money raised we were able to quickly provide 15,000 people with mattresses, clothing, hygiene articles and mosquito nets,” said Joakim Cotting from ADRA, one of the participating charities.
Cyclone Nargis, which hit the Irrawaddy Delta on May 2, left 140,000 people dead or missing and more than a million homeless, making it one of the most devastating ever to hit Asia.
Planned reconstruction projects include the building of houses and schools, the provision of boats and nets, delivery of tools for rice growing and health care.
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