An elderly couple stands in front of a house rebuilt by HelpAge International.

HELPAGE International, a global network of non-profit organisations focused on helping disadvantaged older people worldwide, is planning to build more than 1700 houses for the elderly and their families in cyclone-affected areas of the Ayeyarwady delta, said Gloria Hutabarat, the group’s public relations officer.

The four-month project that started in October is expected to cost K350 million and will benefit about 2000 elderly people in eight village tracts in Kyaiklatt and Dedaye townships, she said.

U Saw Mar Doh Gyi, the shelter coordinator for HelpAge International, said there were three criteria for determining who benefited from the homebuilding project.

“The vulnerable poor person must be above 55 years of age, have been affected by cyclone Nargis and have had his or her home destroyed by the storm,” she said.

Ms Hutabarat said that the group is concentrating on working in areas of the delta that have not been covered fully by other institutions and where there is a clear need to support older people.

“For example, in Dedaye township we are working in areas near the sea that are far away and not easily accessible, and therefore have not been properly targeted by aid organisations,” she said.

U Myint Htay, HelpAge International’s community mobilisation officer, said the group conducted a repair needs assessment before the project was implemented.

“Whether a house should be built is decided by the village shelter committee, not our organisation. But HelpAge provides training on how to conduct the shelter repair community mobilisation process, as well as financial assistance to build the houses,” he said.

For the long term, HelpAge International plans to run a project aimed at establishing community-based organisations and self-help groups to reduce poverty and vulnerability among the elderly and their families in Myanmar.

“We have secured funding for three years and we are keen to commence the project next year in Ayeyarwady and Mandalay divisions,” Ms Hutabarat said.