Report on MCA/WACS Nargis Cyclone AID Developments 24.8.08
From Oliver Esser Soe Thet
President Myanmar Chefs Association
Member of World Association of Chefs Societies
Boe Moe Street, 30 A / B 5th fl., Sanchaung, Miyanigone
Yangon, Union of Myanmar
Tel. & Fax.: 00 95 1 501123, E Mail: angel@myanmar.com.mm Yangon:
23.8.08
Myanmar Aid Direct to People,- 24.8.08
Dear all Friends of Myanmar and Myanmar People,
In 4 month there will be Christmas around the world, here in the by Cyclone Nargis hit Delta region is a bit of Christmas already now, for a view of the so many hard hit people. For three weeks we were a bit silent apart of the “ News Flashes “ at our WACS website, www.wacs2000.org , in sense of long reports. The reason was and is, that we got more and more attached to the live and daily issues of the people in the Delta,- in 24 villages very much involved with Food, Nutrition, Health, Education, Housing, Water Sanitation.
All only possible through your every single individual donation, - most great full to you all,- still coming in. Up to now 12 more villages, with around 24.000 people requested us also to support them as there was no help jet and the situation is getting more serious for them – our funds allowed not to bring them in, even for the most basic – The Daily Rice Ration.
A big “ Food Basket “ promised, funded , - but never implemented by a UN Agency,- there for 200.000 beneficiaries, in southern YGN Division, was the hope we had for these all people, as well for the other 24 villages. Sadly, except many words and many meetings, several promises, nothing
happened, nothing got arranged by this UN Agency for these people.
It is their right,- since over 10 weeks now,- as all is approved but not delivered. We spent a lot of time in these meetings with a pure believing in this AID Giant – UN, - we promised to the people on the ground and made contacts to ensure that they get their fair share.
Up to now we do not see any Rice Corn moving towards these people.
We will when ever we are at the River Villages monitor any progress.
Myanmar Aid Direct to People
Dr Werner & Mallu Heller “ Nargis – Cyclone 2008 “, account
Dresdner Bank Duesseldorf
BLZ: 300 800 00 ( need in Germany )
Kto-No: 36565000
BIC: DRES DE FF 300
IBAN: DE62 3008 0000 0365 6500 00 Add your full address for your receipt & info!!!!
A kind of Christmas – 24.8.08
The reason why we were a bit silent regarding our very detail reports , was that we were very much more busy at the same time over the past 3 to 4 weeks with very good news , developments and help for the cyclone victims at the Irrawaddy Delta. The Cargo Vessel MV Susan K, donated at the spot while in Yangon Port, 2500 tin food, 900 kg best parboiled rice, 1200 bot of mineral water. Mr. Frank and Mrs Marie Luise and the whole team of Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen from Frankfurt arranged with and through us the major Aid Donation of 62 tonnes, mainly Baby and Children Food,- so urgent needed,- by an estimated 68.000 children under 5 years at risk of malnutrition. Mrs. Agnes James and Singapore Airlines Germany collected more and sent another 250 kg clothes for people at the Delta – just today arrived. All these very valuable initiatives needed special attention, time, arrangements and coordination with port and airport custom and warehouse people in charge. This was and still is all not a small amount.
Than all arrangements for our Delta Region Warehouses, as well logistics to transfer all goods by trucks as well by big Delta Boats as far as Haingyi Island ( for roofing material ) , - Labutta ( mainly for water purification & child food ), Pyapon and Kayilat ( food and child food ), Twante a mix of all.
This all next to our twice weekly usual rice distribution to our 24 villages – 26.000 people at the river triangle of,- Maubin – Kayilat – Twante.
Here we added several more initiatives to the people there, - extended our health support program with two volunteer Myanmar Surgical Drs ( long time friends of MCA ), more housing for people in need. We had several “ special cases “ – this is where we also like to concentrate now more on, as we know the villages now very well, - we know where are the people which need the most attention. Maung Akar Min a 1,5 years old baby totally burnt both hands and arms with cooking liquid,- we brought him with mother the same day to a Yangon Hospital and Dr Win Htu ( from the Plastic Surgery Team ) treated him for a week, - he is back home.
8 weeks old Nargis Baby, Mg Thet Naing Oo with just 2,7 kg weight – a chest infection, more dead than alive we could bring to the YGN Child Hospital and granted treatment for 4 weeks, as well a special Mother & Child education training for the mother there. The Baby is very well now and returned on 20.8.08 with his mother back to the Delta.
A pregnant women we brought for a 8th month s check up as she got back injuries,- all OK with the baby, first time in the delta village one knew before the birth that she would born a boy. Last week her husband died all of a sudden, - they still need a house and further support to ensure life for the living and better life for the not even born one. We can take care the house, gave some direct support and the eldest daughter can work at a good friends house in Yangon – will so also get further education – a very good Myanmar family.
We had the honor that Mr. Klaus Mittermaier followed us twice to the Delta Rivers. He a special envoy from the German Government to Myanmar, - in charge to support and coordinate all German NGOs and INGOs activities concerning Nargis Aid & Relief. We learnt a lot from his wide experience, since over 20 years with cyclones in Bangladesh,- mostly on the long term projects – save shelter systems.
Tobias Esche from the Humbolt University Berlin assisted us also during our Delta tours, specially with food distribution and language assistance, - as he speaks fluently Myanmar language.
Twice we had been also with Mr. Frank Franke of Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen ( LOG ) – Germany at the Delta. He as president of LOG, mainly responsible for the great load of aid to Myanmar people of 62 tonnes of Child Food. Under the them: “ Smiles from Food,- No Tears from Hunger “, we delivered already thousands of Ready to Drink Milk as well High Nutrition Cookies from MILUPA Germany to children under 5 years. From the Myanmar Ambassador in Berlin, knowing that Mr. Franke is a well known Journalist, - he got the encouragement :”…. We are happy that you by your self visit our country,-- we would like to invite you to see direct hands on,-- we would love that you write about your view and what you experience in Myanmar and at the Delta region,……. So that many more people get a first hand view on the situation in Myanmar today… “. Mr. Franke did so, well equipped for both Newspaper and TV, we are very happy that this way a clear and straight view on the situation here can reach to people in Europe and beyond. We would be happy if more would: “…. Come and see – seeing is Believing … “.
We hope very much that through these hands on and first hand, direct from the ground reports from Myanmar, can encourage many more people to come and visit Myanmar. Visit the Delta region, see the peoples live there, visit to the traditional Tourism Destinations as Ancient Bagan, Historical Mandalay, Romantic Inle Lake and Pristine Ngapali Beach.
Only the one which come by him self can get a clear uncovered picture. All the people of Myanmar welcome you,- you as Tourists are hope for them. Direct as you help them to generate private direct income,- indirect as Tourism boosts the educational as well vocational standard in a country and region,- Education and Vocational Training as key for independency of any individual, also in Myanmar. Myanmar people decided already – Tourists should come to Myanmar now,-- you are warmly welcomed.
Tomorrow, 24.8.08 we are at the Irrawaddy Delta again, we will split our team, one will with Ma Khet Khet go for food and child food delivery, as well will follow up with the highly pregnant lady there. Our team will be at our “ hard core village “, with our two Drs again for direct treatment to Children and elder people. As a special task we will screen all children under the age of five years, measure by weight for height as well MUAC, to get clear indicators of the level of malnutrition and specially being able to compare the situation of 6 weeks ago as well in 6 weeks. Important to focus more on most people in need,- rather than doing a blanket treatment. Also here we will have for the Kids – Milupina High Nutrition Snack.
Another duty tomorrow will be the training as well installation of permanent “ Child Feeding Stations “ where mothers will bring their Babies ( elder than 6 months ) for additional feeding. We are able to do this thanks to you all individual donor, as well through the massive Aid Donation of Child Food in combination with clean German Mineral Water through Mr. Franke and LOG Germany.
Many thanks we also like to say to our long time friend, Mr Monching from Samporna Company, which ensured that we can start an new Traditional Housing Project in a village on the way, - also tomorrow we will do the survey there, to get things started. While construction material are getting lower, we might be able to establish another 40 to 50 new houses for these people in urgent need.
We could do much more,--- but funds are needed, we understand that time passé by and so we are very happy to have of and on again a good donor sending funds to our account as below. We would be happy, if you could help us also with a bit to ensure that support for these people at the Delta can be extended until late October,- early November 2008.
Soon I will bring you more detail repors thoughts and suggestions from the people at the Delta.
With many thanks, yours
Oliver Esser Soe Thet & Daw Khin Khet Khet Khaing
Myanmar Chefs Association, Yangon 23.8.08
Union of Myanmar
Myanmar Aid Direct to People
Dr Werner & Mallu Heller “ Nargis – Cyclone 2008 “, account
Dresdner Bank Duesseldorf
BLZ: 300 800 00 ( need in Germany ) Kto-No: 36565000
BIC: DRES DE FF 300 IBAN: DE62 3008 0000 0365 6500 00
Add your full address for your receipt & info!!!!
Hilfe fuer Entwicklungslaender e.V. “ Action Myanmar “
• Dr. med. Werner & Mallu Heller, Wildenbruchstr. 66,
• D- 40545 Duesseldorf, - Tel: 00 49 (0) 211 554769, Fax: 5580107
• E Mail: hellus1@freenet.de & esserrene@aol.com
All info & pictures: www.lagunalodge-myanmar.com and Ruedis:
http://home.citycable.ch/ruedi/cyclone_oliver_0619/index.html
http://home.citycable.ch/ruedi/cyclone_oliver_0620/index.html
http://homepage.mac.com/hr_weber/cyclone_mca/index.html
http://homepage.mac.com/hr_weber/cyclone_rice/index.html
http://homepage.mac.com/hr_weber/cyclone_house/index.html
http://homepage.mac.com/hr_weber/cyclone_mca/index.html
http://homepage.mac.com/hr_weber/cyclone_help/index.html
With a very big thank you to all suporter, any support is a big help to the victims.
Oliver Esser Soe Thet,
President Myanmar Chefs Association
Member of WACS,
Yangon, Union of Myanmar 23.8.08
"Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen" hilft
Nach intensiver Vorbereitung und Kontaktaufnahme zum MCA über die Familie Esser und den MCA Myanmar hat sich der Verein `Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen e.V.´ entschlossen drei 40-Fußkontainer, vorrangig mit Kindernahrung, ins Katastrophengebiet des Zyklon „Nargis“, nach Birma/ Mynamar zu schicken. 62 Tonnen Hilfsgüter, gespendet von deutschen Firmen und Institutionen , für in Not geratene myanmarische Familien sind nun eingetroffen.
Hilfe bisher durch den WACS - MCA - `Hilfe für Entwicklungsländer e.V."
- 326.250 kg Reis nur durch uns B1 reicher – halb geschälter Reis
- 336 traditionelle Häuser gebaut – Projekt geht weiter.
- 12 Schulstudenten das volle laufende Schuljahr finanziert – Projekt geht weiter
- 1.200 Schulbuecher verteilt
- 1.040 kg Kochsalz
- 1.080 vegetarische Mahlzeiten gekocht
- 500 kg Kleider fuer Delta Menschen
- 300 Ltr Chlorine 3 % fuer Wasser aufbereitung
- 200 schwangere oder stillende Frauen mit zusatz B1 Vitaminen versorgt
Mr. Mittermeier from German Government coordinates with Oliver.
Next trip will be on 30.7.08, with a B1 expert from UN - UNICEF and MCA, while distribute next 500 bags of rice to 2000 families and follow up B1 boost for pregnant women.
Also continue checks on Mr. Sukis sponsored 50 Traditional Housing projects which are in process to be finished
next 1 or 2 weeks at Zibyigone, Mya Gone, Mya Khan Thar Village .
Please give us a call as usual who will follow again on the next MCA Delta trip, in order to arrange cars and boats
accordingly.
Best culinary RGDS, yours
Oliver E Soe Thet
MCA / WACS, Yangon 23.7.08
Union of Myanmar
Update 13. Juli 2008 - Oliver E. Soe Thet
First active at border of Yangon Division & Ayeyarwaddy Division, and delivered until 9.7.08
- Food distribution - over 165 tonnes of Rice to 22 villages in two weeks rations, 3450 full bags, 1040 kg cooking Salt, 1080 cooked vegetarian meals
- Nutrition support we changed our purchased rice to be under milled – vitamin B1 rich, & monitor the reactions , results and challenges here for UNICEF
- Special Food, Hygiene, Clothing, med treatment for Nargis new born babies & mothers
- Shelter - we built already 289 traditional houses new for Nargis Victims and 60 are under process at present,- more are planned depending on budgets & 200 kg clothings
- Health - Chlorine 3 % liquid for water treatment, distributing & coordinating at village head level
- Distribution of Medical Drugs to village health stations, arrangements of German Drs to the Cyclone area where we are working in
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Free travelling for all people to delta
Dear Friends,
You may got the info already, here just as an update, during a minister meeting I got the good news, that the Myanmar Government as per 3.7.08 Thursday meeting gave green light that all visitors and foreigners in Myanmar can travel freely and who wish to travel to the Delta can also do so. The statement even mentioned also Journalists can come for:
Seeing is Believing.
It would be a good step forward for many reason and good development in many means. There will be no more check points, it is good to take the Passport as there might be the usual checkpoint on the way to Pathein which is always there and takes just 3 to 5 minutes to register.
With best RGDS, yours
Oliver E Soe Thet
Myanmar Chefs Association
03.07.208, Union of Myanmar
Below:
- INTERVIEW `Die WELT´, Berlin: Oliver E. Soe Thet
- Benefizkonzert in Düren / Germany 27.05.2008
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In Progress - 31.05.08
Head of Family 02.06.08
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Interview "Die Welt - 17.05.2008"
Der Deutsche Oliver Esser Soe Thet führt seit zwölf Jahren ein Hotel in Rangun. Mit der Hilfsorganisation "Myanmar Chefs Association" bringt er Hilfsgüter in die Krisenregion. Mit dem 46-Jährigen sprach Sören Kittel.
Die Welt: Wie geht es Ihnen?
Oliver Esser: Gut. Inzwischen hat fast ganz Rangun wieder Strom. Das hilft.
Die Welt: Sie waren in der am schlimmsten betroffenen Region im Irrawaddy-Delta. Was haben Sie gesehen?
Esser: Viele Menschen, die alles verloren haben. Aber sie sind nicht paralysiert und verzweifelt. Dafür haben sie das schon zu häufig erlebt. Außerdem habe ich jetzt nach einer Woche keine Leichen gesehen. Aber das kann auch daran liegen, dass die meisten Opfer vom Wasser mitgerissen wurden. Einige haben erzählt, dass sie drei Tage nach dem Sturm noch immer Hilferufe in der Nacht gehört haben.
Die Welt: Konnten Sie helfen?
Esser: Ja, wir haben über unsere Hilfsorganisation Myanmar Chefs Association (MCA) schon viele Güter ins Inland bringen können. Im Krisengebiet liegen derzeit alle paar Kilometer Plastiksäcke auf den Straßen. Die Dörfler können sich einfach holen, was sie brauchen.
Die Welt: Was brauchen sie jetzt besonders?
Esser: Wir sind gestern mit 300 Säcken hinausgefahren - da war vor allem Reis und Salz dabei sowie Chlorin, um das Wasser zu säubern, außerdem noch etwas Gemüse: Kartoffeln und Zwiebeln.
Die Welt: Werden Sie als Ausländer behindert beim Helfen?
Esser: Wir haben einen Vorteil: Die Leute kennen uns. Außerdem sprechen wir auch die Landessprache und kennen ihre Bedürfnisse.
Die Welt: Was tut die Militärjunta?
Esser: Die Regierung stellt große Materiallager zur Verfügung, und es wird akribisch notiert, was rausgeht und was reinkommt. Es gibt ein Netzwerk, das auch die am schlimmsten betroffenen Gebiete erreichen soll. Das System läuft, aber es braucht viel mehr Material.
Die Welt: Sieht man Soldaten in den Straßen?
Esser: Vor allem in den leichter zugänglichen Gegenden ist das Militär sehr präsent. Das ist natürlich auch medienwirksam. Allein in Rangun waren 10 000 bis 12 000 Soldaten unterwegs, nur um aufzuräumen. Nur im Hinterland kam wenig von diesem Engagement an.
Die Welt: Hat denn der Sturm das Potenzial, die Gesellschaft zu politisieren?
Esser: Die Politik sollte in den Hintergrund treten. Was die Menschen jetzt brauchen, ist Essen und Baumaterial. Außerdem muss der Reispreis dringend niedriger werden. Darauf hätte die Regierung Einfluss. Vor "Nargis" lag er bei rund zehn Dollar pro Sack. Jetzt ist er mehr als doppelt so hoch.
Die Welt: Gibt es Demonstrationen?
Esser: Viele haben befürchtet, dass das Chaos sich auch noch einmal auf die politische Stimmung im Land übertragen würde. Aber da war nichts, was die Armee befürchtet hatte. Die Stimmung ist gut.
Die Welt: Wie passt das zusammen?
Esser: Das liegt vielleicht an der Lebenseinstellung. Erst gestern habe ich eine Frau gesehen, die vor ihrem zerstörten Haus stand - und lachte. Viele Menschen sind Anhänger des Buddhismus. Auch jetzt denken sie sehr pragmatisch: Ich kann das nicht ändern, aber wenn ich jetzt mehr spende, dann werde ich es im nächsten Leben besser haben.
Die Welt: Wird der Sturm denn als Zeichen angesehen?
Esser: Birma ist ein sehr mythisches Land, und Wahrsager haben einen hohen Stellenwert. Erst im Februar hat meine Frau von einem von ihnen gehört, dass dieses Jahr im Mai viele Menschen sterben werden. Wörtlich hieß es: "Dann kommen wie zu Königszeiten die Weißen mit Schiffen die Flüsse hoch und nehmen die Unabhängigkeit des Landes." Wir haben damals dabei an das angekündigte Referendum gedacht, aber dass es so etwas gibt, daran hätte keiner gedacht.
Benefiz-Concert with the RWE Power Orchestra in Düren/Rhld, Germany, organized by the mayor of city Düren, Mr. Paul Larue (CDU), whom also takes the patronage of the Concert on 27. May 2008. We look forward about 700 people coming and donating for urgent help for Myanmar. The city of Düren will take part for the management and organisation costs, so that each € can be provided for myanmar help. Thanks to Mr. Paul Larue, city event manager Johannes Esser and to the great RWE POwer Orchestra (re 14.05.2008).
Benefiz-Konzert am 27.05.2008 in Düren:
Bericht der AACHENER NACHRICHTEN VOM 15.05.08: "
Oliver Esser ist gelernter Koch und Gastronom, der Mann lebt seit fast 13 Jahren in Myanmar(...)Gleichzeitig ist er im Weltverband der Köche aktiv und versucht jetzt mit seinen Kollegen seinen Mitmenschen in der Wahlheimat zu helfen. Ihn dabei zu unterstützen, ist das erklärte Ziel eines Benefizkonzertes mit dem «RWE Power Orchester» am Dienstag, 27. Mai, um 20 Uhr im Haus der Stadt Düren.
René Esser: «Die Menschen in Birma sind ein Volk, das auch selbst anpackt. Aber natürlich brauchen sie jetzt nach dieser Naturkatastrophe Hilfe. Alleine können sie den Wiederaufbau ihres Landes nicht schaffen.» Was den Menschen fehle, seien Reis, Salz, Medikamente, Wasseraufbereitung, Baumaterial für neue Wohnhütten und Plastikplanen. «Die Sachen sind da», sagt René Esser, «aber das Problem ist der Transport. Um den Menschen in Birma helfen zu können, hat Oliver Esser die Erweiterung seines Hotels auf den Herbst verschoben, 50 Dörfer möchte er in den nächsten Tagen mit dem Nötigsten versorgen, (...)
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Gemeinschaft für den guten Zweck im rheinischen Düren; Benefiz-Konzert des RWE-Power Orchesters am 27. Mai 2008. V.l.n.r.: René Esser, Hans-Peter Mundt (Management Orchester), Mallu Heller (Verein `Hilfe für Entwicklungsländer´), Ralf Contzen (Musikal. Leiter Orchester), Paul Larue (Bürgermeister der Stadt Düren), Rolf Thiel (Catering Fischrestaurant Bremerhaven Düren).
Team of Myanmar Chefs Association with rice truck on 14.05.2008
Food on the run:
Neubeginn am 02. Mai 2008:
Cyclone Power in Yangon
Monk in Yangon hiding away from Cyclone Power
Yangon - Morning Time during Cyclone
Cyclone Power in Yangon
V.i.S.d.P. : R. Esser Stresemannstr. 31 10963 Berlin esserrene@aol.com