Burmese Cyclone Victims Suffer Stress

CHAN:

It's almost two months since cyclone Nargis devastated Burma's Irrawaddy delta. Now for many of the survivors psychological stress is as much a problem as food and shelter.

STORY:
68-year-old Own Myaing from the village of Chaung Tha Naa cannot erase the memory of the howling wind and pounding rain. Her house was destroyed and she is afraid of another cyclone.

[Own Myaing, Cyclone Survivor]:
"I've never experienced something like this in my life. Before the cyclone, I could eat normally. Now, I cannot eat even the best curry."

Relief and recovery teams are focusing on food, shelter and farming. But there is no support network for victims suffering from psychological stress. Some survivors have an aunt or uncle to rely on. But others are not so fortunate.

30-year-old Naing Win, lost his wife, mother, three sisters, an in-law and a nephew.

[Naing Win, Cyclone Survivor]:
"I cry alone at night, I recall old memories. I don't want others to see me cry."

A monk took him and 44 others from the Labutta area to a monastery in Rangoon. For Naing Win, there's nothing to go home to. He now wishes to become a monk... his mother's dream before he got married.

[Naing Win, Cyclone Survivor]:
"I lost some hope because now I'm all alone. I had so many plans for my family's future, but now I have nothing. So my purpose in life has weakened. But I will keep on trying, because I'm a man."

Myint Thu lost both parents and his younger brother. He relies on an uncle now and lives temporarily in the monastery.

[Myint Thu, Cyclone Survivor]:
"I remember my family when I'm all alone. It is difficult for me to sleep at night. I reach out to them, but they are not there. I feel very sad."

Monks help the survivors by teaching them meditation techniques and Buddhist scri ptures.

[Umaydarnada, Buddhist Monk]:
"I tell them, they are not the only victims of this disaster. All creatures face the same suffering. Nothing is permanent in this life. This is the root of Buddhist belief."

But Dat Khi Tar Ya Ma monastery can only support these victims for another three months.

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