Laputta, part of Irrawaddy Division, is one of the worst hit areas by Cyclone Nargis. Currently, there are over 30 refugee 'camps' in Laputta township. Each has a 3000 population. This number is still increasing. In the town of PyinSaLu, only 300 out of 3000 people have survived. As the limited housing space runs out, some people have been forced to stay out in the open. They are desperately in need of cooking utensils, clothes, blankets, and ground sheets.

In the news:

Handy Myanmar Youth is currently working with locals (survivors of the cyclone) to build huts in the following original village locations:

1. PyinKaNuKone
2. SaluSait
3. MiChaungAin
4. PadeKaw
5. KwinThoneSint
6. PyinKanuAwa
7. PiTautKone
   

Each budget hut is built like a tradition home. It is about 12 foot tall at the highest point, and measures about 20 feet by 15 feet. There is a cooking area at the back measuring 6 feet in length. Traditionally, this area has no walls.

The main frame will be built of bamboo and tarpaulin rolls will be used for roofing. Bamboo is abundant in these areas and is preferred over timber for its low cost and shorter construction time.


As of last week, about 5 huts have been completed. There are about 140 survivors from the 7 villages. These villagers are planning to return to their destroyed homes as monsoon approaches. These men are simple farmers whose only wish is to pick up the pieces and move on. Female members of their families will remain in refugee camps until they are established, and can reclaim a little bit of their normal lives.

The men plan to work on about 10 to 15 acres of land together; before the cyclone, each men used to work on hundreds of acres of paddy fields. They have the intention to use this year's crop as a base for future expansions. They will probably stay in these huts for about 3 years until life returns to normalcy. They have also promised HMY that the will not demolish the huts for this period at least.

We have been informed by HMY that each tarpaulin roll is sufficient for about 1.5 huts. Each hut can house 10-12 people. In total, the rolls will go towards housing at least 75 people, and give them a sanctuary from which they can start afresh. The villagers build their own huts using the contributions from donors. The huts will be shared by the men working on paddy fields. HMY will help each village build about 5-6 huts.

Cyclone Aid will continue to try to sponsor tarpaulin rolls for HMY to support this project, depending on budget constraints and availability of these materials.

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