In Yangon where I am based, the elderly tell me this is the worst they’ve seen. The cyclone’s lashing was severe; days later I find myself still surrounded by broken roof tops and uprooted tress. In Myanmar we are used to tropical storms so it was hard to believe this storm was going to be any different from the ones we’ve seen in the past.

I imagine villagers in remote areas in the southwest Delta felt the same. Many of us did not prepare ourselves for the possibility that this storm could ruin our homes and steal innocent lives. The travelers on foot told me about a 12 foot tidal wave that wiped out an entire village after hours of intense wind and rain.

This is the second time the area has felt nature’s wrath. In 2004, the Asia Tsunami ripped trees and mangroves from their roots, leaving the remote community without protection from increasingly erratic and extreme weather patterns.

The people in this area had to escape by sea in small boats. I am told many drowned, unable to move through the violent waves fast enough.

Disaster preparedness would have saved lives. World Vision deployed staff members to northern communities where the cyclone was first predicted to make landfall. We were working with communities to prepare them for strong winds and heavy rain.

Then the storm suddenly changed directions and headed south.

Need is growing

Where communities are submerged in water, lakes and fresh water wells will be contaminated. I haven’t heard of disease outbreaks yet but I’m sure there will be sporadic cases due to the unavailability of clean drinking water and limited sanitation options.

Still flood waters also pose a risk as they quickly become breeding grounds for mosquito-born diseases. World Vision is distributing mosquito nets and blankets to counter this risk.

I am hearing stories of people eating rotten fish, having no other available option for food. Temporarily World Vision is drawing on local stocks of rice and food stocks but that is not sustainable. The main food in Myanmar is rice, curry, salt, cooking oil.

World Vision has been distributing temporary shelter sheets, water sachets, purification powder and disinfectants to disaster-affected areas in Yangon but it is crucial aid begins flowing into the Delta.

Drinking water is a top priority. We need water purification units to turn massive amounts of dirty water into clean water to help great numbers of people in a quick and efficient way. Nearby villages that are less affected are giving what they can, but I’m being told there is not enough survival supplies to go around.

Emotional shock

The shock of losing loved ones, crops, livestock and homes can be deep and lasting. I wonder if this will make people afraid to stay, afraid to sit with the ghosts of their loved ones and the fear that this might someday happen again. Depression to various extents can be expected.

Our assessment teams head into the Delta today. Their job will be difficult and distressing. But the information they uncover will direct the hands and hearts passionately implementing this response.