School rebuilding work begins in Myanmar

The cyclone devastated Myanmar

31 July 2008: Work to rebuild 16 schools attended by more than 2,500 children in Myanmar has begun as part of Plan’s effort to help those affected by Cyclone Nargis.

The work is the result of a US$200,000 partnership agreed by Plan and Bridge Asia Japan (BAJ).

Under the agreement, Plan is funding the restoration and replacement of new roofs, furniture, latrines and running water systems for the schools in Myaungmya and Mawlamayinegyun townships - both located in Myanmar's Ayeyarwady Division, the area that felt the brunt of the cyclone’s destructive force.

An estimated 140,000 people are dead or missing as a result of the cyclone which struck Myanmar in May. More than 2,400,000 people were affected.

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Working in partnership

Plan had no active programmes in Myanmar before the cyclone, nonetheless Patrick Brochard, Deputy Director of Plan's Asia Regional Office, travelled to the country in the aftermath of the emergency to identify areas where Plan could best assist.

The visit identified the target areas for Plan as well as a series of well-placed partners able to provide on the ground support and personnel.

Safe structures

Patrick Brochard said: “We are very happy to be partners with BAJ, and supporting the important work they are doing in some of the areas in Myanmar that were affected by Cyclone Nargis. Together with BAJ, we are helping children in these areas by rebuilding their schools to be safe structures, so they can move forward with their lives.”

The memorandum of understanding with BAJ, which has been in the country since 1995, will initially run until November.
 
Plan has already provided emergency relief work in Myanmar through a partnership with a Thailand-based NGO, the Foundation for Education and Development (FED).

Visit the BAJ website