RM1 million aid for cyclone victims-MALAYSIAN BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/12/27/north/2889948&sec=north

IT has been almost seven months since Cyclone Nargis battered Myanmar but help continues to pour in.

One of the latest efforts was initiated by the Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA) which raised a total of RM1.05mil through the Burma Cyclone Relief Fund.

MBA advisor Ven. Seck Boon Keng said the committee would channel all the funds through the Burmese Shangha Organisation to launch the Myanmar Cyclone Recovery Project.

“These funds were collected through our branches and members from the public within the fastest time to ensure help arrives for the needy as soon as possible,” he told a press conference when presenting the cheque to the Burmese Shangha Organisation on Wednesday.


The organisation advisor Rev. Sayadaw U. Rajinda, who was authorised to receive the funds, said the funds were expected to be distributed in stages within two years.

“Of this, RM60,000 have been used to purchase 10 tractors for affected farmers to help them in agricultural rehabilitation including re-cultivation.

“We are also giving out a monthly RM30 voucher each for 51 orphans for 12 months and RM93 monthly each for 38 university students for 10 months,” he said.

The purpose of the Myanmar Cyclone Recovery Project was to assist flood and Nargis storm victims in Laputta and Kyaiklat with provision of aid for plantation and agricultural rehabilitation.

It is also aimed at rebuilding the schools for the affected village children who are facing problems of daily survival and difficulties in continuing their education.

“Receiving quality education has been a problem for many children due to many schools having been destroyed by the cyclone,” Sayadaw said.

He said the committee was in the midst of constructing two primary schools and one lower secondary school.

He added that a total RM255,000 was needed for the construction of the schools, each measuring 167 sq m.

They were sheduled for completion in four months’ time, he said.