FIELD ASSESSMENT REPORT – SAGAING DIVISION Highlights

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FIELD ASSESSMENT REPORT – SAGAING DIVISION

Displaced persons on the road to Salingyi District, Sagaing Region

Highlights

 There have been increased levels of flooding observed in the assessed areas compared to previous years, though this is seen as largely manageable.  However, approximately 300 households are settling in the main roads of Salingyi, Wetlet and Myaung townships, sleeping on or under carts with tarps. There is also a threat to livelihoods from damaged paddy fields.  Need for support (shelter, NFIs, WASH) to displaced villagers living on the main roads of Salingyi, Wetlet and Myaung townships, and to those rebuilding/repairing their houses across the region.

Overview

A team of three IOM staff members (2 programme staff, 1 driver) undertook an assessment of flood- related damage in Sagaing Division between 10-16 August 2015. Ten townships were visited - Monywa, Ayadaw, Chaung-U, Budalin Townships (Monywa District), Wetlet, Shwebo, Kanbalu Townships (Shwebo District), Kawlin Township (Katha District), Salingyi Township (Yinmarbin District) and Myaung Township (Sagaing District). Consultation was undertaken with representatives from the Relief and Resettlement department and General Administrative Department at the regional and district level, a township disaster management committee, township health department and community-based organisation.

Findings

1. Monywa District (Townships: Ayadaw, Monywa, Chaung-U, Budalin)

A total of 11 houses were destroyed and 11 camps are still open accommodating approximately 800 people. All camps are in proper buildings (schools/monasteries) receiving food and water and are expected to return home in the next 1-2 weeks, assuming no more rain and once their homes have dried and/or they have finished removing the mud. A large number of flooded paddy fields are visible from main roads (some of which were partially covered in water due to rivers/creeks expanding).

2. Shwebo District (Townships: Wetlet, Kambalu, Shwebo)

Wetlet Township (Shwebo District)

All 7 camps in Shwe-Bo District have been closed with all 894 people returning home. The GAD estimates 21 houses were damaged and 60 houses relocated to a safer area, with and 2 deaths (both in rescuers).

The most affected area is Kanbalu, however, all areas are ‘manageable’. Most people who went to stay with families during the floods have since returned home. The area suffered ‘water intrusion’ rather than flooding i.e. the water level rose and fell without leaving large amounts of mud. The Tha Phan Seik dam burst which has Wetlet Township, Shwebo District affected areas near the Moo River including

Kanbalu and Kyunhla. Wetlet is the lowest lying area and most affected by high water levels. The main road on the way from Shwebo to Kawlin is damaged.

2.1 Wetlet Township

No collective centers and villages were largely dry – anyone that left their homes has returned. Some people are returning to the main roads when the water level rises (e.g. this morning after it rained). They sleep under tarps they purchased (MMK11,000) on the main road and return home once it drops. Food, water and clothes have been provided through communities and local charities.

2.2 Kanbalu Township

A total of 3,224 households and 15,656 people have been affected, with 15 damaged houses located in Pay Kone (1), Baw (4), Kan Gyi (1) and Pauk Sein Kone (9) villages. The main flooding was 4 weeks ago (18-19 July) and the situation is now relatively stable. No camps are open and no one is living on the main roads so shelter, food and water are not an issue. Some people are still displaced when the water level rises, however, they stay with family or friends and can return to their homes when the water level falls. Farmers have begun replanting paddy fields, 1000 latrines are ready to distribute (Disaster Management Committee), and the Township Health Department has been chlorinating shallow wells, hand dug wells and deep wells. There are 16 open clinics and 5,469 cases treated as of 10 Aug and common health problems being acute viral infections, skin infections, and trauma. No NGO/UN presence. Three main areas of impact involving a total of 30 villages are:

i. North: around 15 villages have suffered from extensive ‘water intrusion’ including large amounts of mud. Not accessible by road as a bridge has been destroyed on the main road north of the Township centre. Also difficult to access from Kawlin due to flooding. Rail access possible. ii. Centre/West: around 5-10 villages suffered from extensive ‘water intrusion’ due to Tha Phan Seik dam ‘overflowing’ iii. South: expansion of the Mu River due to high rainfall and overflow of Tha Phan Seik dam has caused flooding in 5-10 villages.

3. Kawlin Township (Katha District)

There were 13 destroyed houses in 4 villages (families were relocated by the State Government), and 4 deaths. Situation has now moved from emergency to recovery. Water level across the township is rising and falling; this ‘water intrusion’ occurs annually so most households are prepared to some extent and able to cope without leaving home. In the urban area some streets still have approx. 1-2 feet of water, in the villages the team was told it is more widespread. People are swimming and using canoes to move around. To date most residents have been able to stay in their homes regardless of the water level and those who cannot (mainly from the villages nearby) either go to stay with family/friends or move to the monasteries until the water level falls.

Kawlin Township (Katha District)

Three monasteries located in the urban area have been used as camps (for people and cows); all are currently empty although we heard that people from the villages were coming later in the day the team visited due to rising water. Mud in and around houses is not an issue and the water level generally falls within a day. Many paddy fields are still flooded with 25,000 -30,000 acres of fields affected.

In Indaw (also Katha District), 12 houses were damaged: the Rural Development Department has received approval to support these families (roofing and cement) but the families are currently staying with family/friends.

4. Salingyi Township (Yinmarpin District)

No camps are open, however, approximately 200 households in 5 or so groups remain settled on the main streets (about 700 households on Day 1 of the assessment). Most come from villages set back from the main road and have not returned home due to the mud/swamp (1.5 feet high) between the main road and their homes, as well as in/around their homes, and because of the fear of snake bites and the smell. They expect to return within 2 weeks and many are cleaning their homes during the day and returning to the main road at night to sleep, mainly on/under carts with tarps thrown over the top.

Food, water and clothes have been provided through communities and local charities. Some tarps and medical support were provided to Nyaung Pin Gyi by a mining company operating nearby (Wang Bao), others purchased tarps (MMK11,000) or used old tarps. No water is visible in/around the villages from the main road and rivers have dropped markedly. Paddy fields are now dry or with a relatively small amount of water. The main issue is clearing mud from villages and paddy fields.

5. Myaung Township (Sagaing District)

Southern Myaung (where the Ayeyarwady and Chindwin rivers meet) has seen the most flooding of the Township. 'Water intrusion' occurs annually, normally due to the expansion of the Ayeyarwady.

However, this year the Chindwin also expanded, causing more water to enter the nearby villages than usual. Residents still see it as a normal occurrence and it has been dealt with without any major problems. Currently 2-3 camps/monasteries hold around 50 families, with another 40-50 living on the main road on carts with tarp. Generally they have not returned home despite the water level falling due to the mud. Most expect to return home within 7 days. 7 villages suffered water intrusion: although the water has gone completely, there is a large amount of mud left so they are not currently accessible by road (charities are assisting via boat). Severe erosion of river banks caused 20 families to be relocated, and they are currently living with family/friends.

Recommendations

1. Provide additional support (Shelter, NFIs, WASH) to the displaced villagers that are currently living on main roads in Salingyi, Wetlet and Myaung.

2. Support (Shelter, NFIs, WASH) families across the region that will be repairing/rebuilding their houses until they are able to return to their homes (approximately 15-20 in per township).

3. District/Township specific recommendations: a. Monywa District: Mud removal, livelihood support, WASH, vector control, surveillance of water-borne, vector-borne and zoonotic diseases. b. Shwebo District: Repairs to main road heading north to Kanbalu/Kawlin. i. Wetlet township: Mud removal, livelihoods support, possible support to those displaced persons living on the main roads, WASH and surveillance of water- borne, vector-borne and zoonotic diseases. ii. Kanbalu township: Mud removal in the northern villages, livelihoods support and support to address skin infections. There is also possible overflow of a second nearby dam (‘Min Pyin’) which the authorities are currently working to prevent. c. Kawlin township: Livelihoods support and latrines as many were damaged and need replacing. 1000 latrine pans were provided by the State Government but another 403 are needed. d. Salingyi township: Villages and paddy fields still have a thick layer of mud which will need removal, wells have mud inside and will need cleaning and chlorination, some of the people still living on the road expressed concerns about clean water, diarrhea and dengue. e. Myaung Township: Mud removal, livelihoods support and possible support to those displaced persons living on the main roads.