Helping Out with Responsive Actions

Relief for Flood and Fire Victims in 2014

Each year the Myanmar rain season brings torrential rain and often negatively impacts hundreds of thousands of Myanmar citizens. In August 2014, continuous rain displaced tens of thousands in the Bago District, just North of Yangon. Over 500 households were destroyed by the flood and many more locals were left for days without food, fresh water or electricity.

Marga Landmark staff quickly rallied to collect donations among general staff for the flood victims. As part of Marga Community Care, Marga management matched the amount so that the team can purchase supplies such as clothes, rice, oil, instant noodle, bread, biscuit, water, soft drinks and salt. Distributing the supplies was no easy task either. Our staff bravely traveled on boats and waded through waist high water to ensure the arrival of the supplies.

With dated infrastructure and emergency response systems, Myanmar is often susceptible to isolated but sometimes ferocious disasters. On February 16, 2015, a fire at Aye Ywar and Ba Lout Nyunt quarter broke out destroying 210 households, making more than 900 people instantly homeless. While many were able to seek refuge in nearby monasteries, necessary provisions were vastly undersupplied.

Once again Marga answered the call for help. On the February 18, 2015, Marga Landmark senior team and 22 staff members went across the Hlaing River to the Kyi Myin Dine District and donated vital supplies including rice, oil, salt, storage bags, eating utensils, biscuits, instant noodles, bottled water and blankets. Marga also donated to the monastery for their rebuilding fund which later provided new housing to the victims of the fire.

“We want to do what we can. It is terrible for anyone to go through this. I’m really happy that we were able to collect a large sum of money amongst my colleagues to help.”

Cindy Zaw
Associate Director (HR & Admin), Marga Group