World Vision’s recovery program for Hainggyi Township will complete at the end of June, 2010. It is recognised that livelihoods in the affected area will then have recovered to the pre-Nargis levels.

World Vision’s Cyclone Nargis recovery program operation manager Aung Naing said although there was still poverty in the area, studies showed living standards were reaching above the line of pre-Nargis level.

“We have questioned the communities about their livelihood during the recovery programme. Communities said that the area has changed with the support of World Vision,” said Aung Naing.

World Vision’s field manager for Hainggyi, Maureen Kolay said the food programme was helpful for the affected communities because it enabled some people to save money for their children’s education.

The recovery programme started six months after Nargis and the recovery, though slow, has been significant. “Now the conditions are getting better,” said Maureen.

World Vision has introduced and embedded a number of income-generating supports into the community, including boats and nets, hand tractors, threshing machines and paddy seed.

“We also invited agricultural experts, and water and sanitation experts to conduct training courses for the farmers and non-farming families. So they have gained knowledge through the programmes,” said Maureen.

Through the establishment of Early Childhood Care and Development centres, Child Friendly Spaces and Non-Formal Education centres, communities have been introduced to the importance of education and early child care.

A cyclone shelter and trainings courses to prepare communities for natural disasters has built resilience in the communities to face future natural disasters.

“We are doing for five programmes in Hainggyi – food aid, livelihood, water and sanitation, child protection and natural disaster reduction.” Maureen explained that World Vision is also giving water pumps and will establish USD 350 worth of stores and training courses to encourage the establishment of healthy businesses.

World Vision has assessed the possible weak points in the communities and developed a new strong strategy of approach to enable communities to stand on their own feet when support ends.