Myanmar: Private donations for cyclone victims decline

By Zarni

Chiang Mai – Private donations for Cyclone Nargis victims are slowly petering out one month after the cyclone struck Burma. Private donors are financially depleted and physically exhausted.

Private donors from across the country made small scale relief efforts for cyclone victims in worst-hit Irrawaddy Delta region. Now donations have fallen drastically.

"This is our second relief effort. There were many donors and donations in the first relief campaign conducted in mid-May. Now donations have fallen drastically," Ko Kyaw Kyaw from Rangoon who visited and donated in Labutta Township, Irrawaddy Division told Mizzima.

Similarly people from Mandalay who are providing relief supplies to victims in Pyapon Township, Irrawaddy Division by pooling in funds donated by friends are facing the same difficulty.

"We cannot continue our relief campaign through to the end of this month. The people are exhausted and the fund is dwindling," a member of this relief aid group said.

They started their relief campaign by providing food, clothes and medicine on a small scale. After donating thrice, they are exhausted, he added.

Local residents in Bogale Township conducting relief work said that the number of private donors coming to their region fell by 33 per cent.

A monk from 'Maha Gandar Yone' monastery said, "Private donors of our laity and devotees are donating less than before. As time passes, we are exhausted and the donation has decreased too".

Private donors donated cash and relief supplies to cyclone victims by collecting these from friends and community members.

Some donated cash and materials to charitable groups such as 'Free Funeral Service' in Rangoon which visited victims.

"I have donated twice and provided food and clothes to the victims. Now we are finding it difficult to collect enough materials and cash," a private donor said.

"The misery and sufferings they are facing is worse than ours. Though we want to continue our donations, we must think of ourselves too. I feel extremely sorry for them," a private donor in Rangoon said.

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