Welt Hunger Hilfe provides aid to Bogale township. Pic: Supplied

THE German non-government organisation Welt Hunger Hilfe (German Agro Action) is increasing the pace of its efforts to help victims of cyclone Nargis in Bogale township in Ayeyarwady Division, said Ms Angela Schwarz, the organisation’s country director.

“Starting from June, our objective is to provide approximately 600 metric tonnes of food a month for around 36,000 people in Bogale township under a contract with the World Food Program,” said Ms Schwarz.

She said the two-year project will benefit about 7500 families in 70 villages.
Last month the organisation distributed about 160 metric tonnes of food in Bogale towship, including 140.2 metric tonnes of rice, 15.36 metric tonnes of pulses, 4.032 metric tonnes of oil and 983 bags (0.408 metric tonnes) of salt.
“Altogether 26,221 people in 5710 families have already been served by our relief activities up to May 28,” Ms Schwarz said.

Welt Hunger Hilfe has also provided villagers in the area with water treatment and rainwater collection systems, essential household items and hygiene materials, and has also worked to clear saline ponds.

The equipment donated by the organisation has included jerry cans, buckets, soap, tarpaulins, rope, sleeping mats, and diesel for boat engines to transport goods and people, and for pumps to clear saltwater from ponds.

While work is accelerating in Bogale, the organisation is also assessing whether the project can be expanded to other areas of the delta.

“We want to replicate the same approach in other cyclone-affected areas in the delta region. Our idea is that instead of starting with a lot of assessments that may take a half year, we’re going ahead and starting relief and recovery work in Bogale,” said Ms Schwarz.

“At the same time, we’re doing assessments in other areas in the hopes that we can provide aid for an additional 75,000 families if we get permission,” she said.

She added that Welt Hunger Hilfe also plans to “bring more experts in agriculture, irrigation, forestry and civil engineering to rebuild the infrastructure if we get permission from the government”.

“For example, for the agriculture sector to take urgent action in the cultivation season, we need technical analysts to do assessments to identify which farmers can plant which crops in flooded areas, which seeds they can use and what assistance they would need,” she said.

Special objectives of the project include supplying essential seeds, tools and fertiliser for agricultural recovery efforts; providing boats and fishing nets for the neediest fishermen; and helping village communities recover through the provision of draught animals like buffalos and cattle and small animals such as goats, ducks and chickens.

“We are also cooperating with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and other international and local NGOs by holding regular meetings, and if we find gaps, if we find that the neediest areas are not being treated, we will try to expand our activities,” Ms Schwarz said.

She added that Welt Hunger Hilfe will ensure the successful implementation of the project through close monitoring and evaluation activities with regular visits to all project sites, conducted in coordination with government authorities.

“Welt Hunger Hilfe project managers and technical experts will also be permanently based in the respective project areas,” she said.