Dry season water strategies in Myanmarafter cyclone Nargis

摘要

For many residents of the Ayeyarwady Delta of Myanmar, rainwater collection from village ponds androof tops serves as the primary source of potable water throughout the year. In May 2008, CycloneNargis struck the Delta region, damaging many of these ponds by breaching their embankments or fillingthem with debris and saline water. Despite the efforts of the international aid community and localgovernment to repair and rehabilitate these traditional water sources, concerns remain about a potentialwater crisis affecting thousands of Ayeyarwady Delta residents during the dry season from November toApril. This paper examines the different water rehabilitation and supply strategies adopted by reliefagencies and communities during the second half of 2008 to mitigate possible water shortages in 2009.