October
31, 2017
Aid
from the Myanmar Red Cross Society, the International Committee of the Red
Cross and the Red Crescent Movement has reached the people affected by the
terrorist attacks in August. The following is an interview with the members of
the organisations.
U
Aung Thaung Shwe, Deputy Director of Myanmar Red Cross Society, Disaster
Management Department
Q:
May I know your duty with the Red Cross movement and your voluntary works in
Maungtaw?
A:
I am currently staying in Maungtaw and in charge of the Red Cross Association.
Together with the Myanmar Red Cross Society, International Committee of the Red
Cross, and other International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Association, we
are providing aid to the people affected by the conflict in Rakhine State.
Q:
How about your plan to deliver aid from the ship which is now at the
Kanyinchaung Jetty?
A:
The ship has brought the Red Cross Movement’s aid which includes rice, beans ,
pulses, salt, oil and nourishing food for the babies, things for personal
hygiene, blankets, mosquito nets and so on.
To
be exact, 250 tons of rice, 60 tons of beans, 10.5 tons of oil, 2.5 tons of
salt, 1.5 tons of nourishing food, blankets, mosquito nets, toothpaste,
shampoo, hammers, ropes, clothing for both men and women, school uniforms and
things for family and personal hygiene are to be distributed with the help of
voluntary workers and local NGOs.
The
aid will be delivered to to those who are really in need of help.
Q:
How about the achievements of the Red Cross Movement so far regarding the
supply of aid to the people?
A:
There are mainly two parts in the process of providing assistance. We have
provided cash assistance individually to those who return to their homes in
conflict areas. Meanwhile, we have also provided aid to the families. The
government gives Ks9,000 each to the villagers for ferry fee from Sittway to
their native village and an extra Ks20,000. Under the Red Cross Movement, we
provide Ks45,000 each to the villagers. Our Red Cross Movement set a target of
180,000 people to be provided with our aid by December 2017. So far, our aid
has reached more than 10,000 people and our aid is also flowing into villages.
Q:
Let me know your next plan?
A:
The ship which has arrived just now is the first batch of aid. A further 400
tons of aid will come. The second batch includes basic needs such as food, safe
drinking water, rice, sardines, and other items for the local families. We will
step up our efforts for supplying aid to the people. We also have organised
mobile teams and sent them to the conflict areas since 2014.
Q:
What is the purpose of your Red Cross Movement and how would you perform to be
effective?
A:
We provide assistance regardless of race, religion and colour, which are the
seven points of basic principles. We focus on their needs equally and try to
console their feelings.
Q:
Do you supply the assistance equally and what are the criterion to be made in
the long run?
A:
We provide the assistance depending on the needs of the families and
individuals. We also make a thorough plan to do in the long run. To help them
physically and mentally is of vital importance in order to alleviate their
suffering.
By Maw Si
Ref;
The Global New Light of Myanmar
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