A cyclone-proof school and storm shelter built by the Church would have saved lives when typhoon Nargis tore through the Irrawaddy delta in Myanmar, local villagers say.
“We do really thank the Church for helping us regardless of religion,” said U Tin Aye, a Buddhist farmer from Marlargone village, one of the hardest-hit places by the cyclone.
He added that Nargis destroyed all the village houses and floods have swept away 283 out of the village’s 519 residents.
Father Henry Eikhlein, Karuna Pathein Social Service (KPSS) director, said they took the example from Bangladesh’s disaster risk reduction strategy and built a primary school that can serve as a shelter.
He added that although KPSS, the local Catholic Church’s social service agency, had assisted villagers with food items, clothing, medicines and housing, shelters are the most important aid to be given to them.
An engineer explained that while the structure is designed as a primary school, more than 200 people can take shelter in it in case of natural disasters.
About 200 people attended the cyclone shelter’s opening ceremony held in Marlargone village on Nov. 17, including the KPSS director and his staff, local authorities and the villagers.
