Arakan  State nunneries damaged by cyclone still can’t make repairs

By Admin 30 Jun 2023

DMG Newsroom
30 June 2023, Sittwe

Nunneries damaged by Cyclone Mocha in Arakan State still cannot be repaired more than one month after the storm.

The nunneries face financial constraints to undergo repairs, and have been forced to make do with tarpaulin sheets.

“We have a lot of difficulties. We need food. All the roofs were damaged by the storm, and we get wet when it rains. There is also risk of electric shock,” nun Daw Sarana Theingi from the Kyar Yoke nunnery told DMG.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has provided 50 corrugated roofing sheets, and 0.25 tonnes of wood for repair of the nunnery, and donors have also contributed food and some cash. But the donations are not enough, said Daw Sarana Theingi.

There are 28 nuns at the Kyar Yoke nunnery, and the roofs of the main building, lecture hall and senior nuns’ dwelling were damaged. Five nuns have reportedly fallen ill due to exposure to rain in the weeks since Cyclone Mocha made landfall.

Nun Daw Agga Sari from the Ambarama nunnery said: “We have some corrugated roofing sheets, and wood to repair the nunnery. However, we can’t afford to hire carpenters to make repairs. The dining hall and dormitories were damaged by the storm, and we had to crowd into the lecture hall.”

There are 21 nuns at the nunnery. It has received 100 corrugated roofing sheets for repairs and 10 sacks of rice from the junta, as well as corrugated roofing sheets and wood from some departments, but lacks funds to hire carpenters.

Meanwhile, nuns who sustain their lives on rice donated by laypeople are going hungry as they do not go out for alms regularly following the storm.

“People have hardships and they have difficulties repairing their houses. We also have to clear debris from our nunneries. Laypeople have donated some rice, and we also forage for fruits and vegetables nearby,” said nun Daw Khaymar Nandi of the Thabawa meditation centre in Ponnagyun.

There are 10 nuns at the Thabawa meditation centre, and three of the 14 buildings were destroyed and other buildings had their roofs damaged, but the regime has only donated 10 corrugated roofing sheets.

More than 1.5 million people were affected by Cyclone Mocha, which hit Arakan State on May 14.