Merlin has been given the use of Pandaw IV, a 180ft river cruiser, to deliver medical aid to tens of thousands of stranded survivors in Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta.
The flat, coastal region was one of the worst affected as Cyclone Nargis tore through the country on Saturday. All Merlin’s medical boats were destroyed in the disaster. As a result, accessing people in desperate need has so far proved difficult. Our teams are on the ground now in Laputta township, treating trauma patients as well as running a rapid assessment of the health needs.
We're especially concerned about waterborne diseases, as the area’s safe water supply was wrecked in high winds. Extreme flooding has left many of the remaining sources contaminated by sea water. With no option, people are being forced to drink unsafe water, risking diarrhoeal diseases which can kill if not caught in time.
This vast vessel will be a real life-saver, functioning as a warehouse, hospital and home to our teams. It comes with water treatment facilities, allowing us to treat patients safely as well as help stop the spread of disease. We’ll also be able to transport vital clean water to local health facilities. The dining hall will be turned into a hub, with various rooms off the main deck functioning as clinics and emergency operation units.
The ship’s shallow draft means Merlin will be able to reach far more people, far more quickly.
Vital supplies are being flown out tonight to be loaded onto the ship, including 14 emergency kits. Each kit provides basic health care for 10,000 people for three months. The boat will be essential in helping us distribute the kits to the people who need them most.
Merlin is immensely grateful to Paul Strachan of Pandaw, who's supplied his boat free of charge.
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Read more about our work in Myanmar