Boat travel on a vast network of waterways is the only means of navigation in Myanmar’s Aye-yar-waddy River Delta, which was one of the regions affected by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. The disaster further weakened an already fragile health and water supply system. In April 2005, Merlin began programmes to benefit the 350,000 people who live in the Laputta Township. The projects focus on strengthening health capacity both at the village and government levels.