Since cyclone Nargis made landfall in Burma nine weeks ago efforts to distribute aid has had a tremendous impact on the lives of survivors. International NGOs, CBOs and other local groups have distributed vital aid which has not only kept survivors alive, but has also assisted them in rebuilding their homes and cultivating farmland. Food items, water, medicine, shelter, schooling and farming equipment have all been on the list of aid required by Nargis victims. However, despite the long list of aid received by victims, as emergency aid efforts continue, it is becoming more and more apparent that survivors are in need of more than just material goods to help rebuild their lives. Survivors of cyclone Nargis have been through a terrifying and life-threatening event; many have lost their entire families, and are consequently suffering serve post-traumatic stress.

This week, the Irrawaddy interviewed Kaz de Jong, a mental health specialist from the humanitarian group ‘Medecins Sans Frontieres.’ He recalls one women telling him ‘you know you are all worried about rice, and enough rice, that’s important, but do you also worry that people must also have motivation to eat it? At this moment my life is not worth living. I’ve lost all my family members.’ Stories of this nature are resonating across cyclone affected areas, with many victims unable to mentally lift themselves out of the psychological distress they are currently experiencing. A survey undertaken by the Burmese government, the UN and ASEAN found that 22 percent of households affected by the storm reported psychological stress. The inability to sleep, recurrent nightmares, flashbacks, apathy, absentmindedness and concentration problems are to name but a few symptoms survivors are experiencing. Some experts claim that psychological stress after an event like Nargis can take up to a year to subside.

A teacher from a school in the cyclone affected town of Kungyangone has reported that almost half of her students are experiencing difficultly in concentration, and some children fearfully seek shelter if signs of rain appear. Observations have shown that the performance level of those children severely affected by Nargis has declined compared to those who were less affected. Teachers are ill-equipped to deal with children suffering from psychological stress disorders and need support to help students rehabilitate and come to terms with their loss and experiences. In fact many teachers themselves are psychologically suffering since Nargis hit. Teachers in Laputta and Bogalay are particularly traumatized by the storm that killed more than 113 of their colleagues.

An official from UNICEF/Myanmar has said a draft module is currently being reviewed by the ministry of education, and will soon be used to provide psycho-social training to approximately 3,000 primary teachers in Bogalay, Laputta, Mawlamyinegyune, Kawhmu and Kungyangone townships. UNICEF has also developed a ‘Tip-for-Teachers’ booklet, which contains instructions on psycho-social support and the recovery of affected children. There is a concern that Burma’s mental health experts do not have the experience to deal with patients affected by such a large scale natural disaster, and may need the guidance of international experts. However, local doctors do not face difficulties in communication, and are already accustomed to cultural norms, and will therefore be most affective in providing psychological support to survivors.

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