Exotissimo and partners help the Irrawaddy Delta

On 2 May 2008, tropical cyclone Nargis struck the low-lying Irrawaddy Delta affecting an estimated 1.3 million people. Exotissimo Travel promptly initiated relief efforts and humanitarian assistance to the cyclone victims in Myanmar, a country that is also home and dear to us.

Exotissimo and the Appletree Group set up an emergency fund with a donation of 20,000 USD and generous travel trade partners contributed an additional 80,000 USD to our relief efforts. Online travel company FriendlyPlanet.com and its clientele donated an incredible 12,000 USD over a few short days.

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, we were most concerned with bringing emergency relief efforts to the affected regions. Together with the Kids of Myanmar (which was founded by responsible travel specialist Destinations Unlimited), Exotissimo Myanmar delivered about 55,000 USD worth of emergency food supplies and materials to the delta region. These materials included rice, beans, potatoes, drinking water, blankets, waterproof roofing sheets, etc. We assisted approximately 50,515 people from 11,185 families in this first phase of disaster relief.

Moving on to the second phase, we wanted to ensure that villagers receive water supplies regularly and reliably. For this stage, Kids of Myanmar was still our valuable partner in installing water purifiers in the delta villages. Approximately 7,060 people from the nine villages in Pyarpon and Bogalay Townships benefited from the hygienic and purified water supply.

For the third phase, resettlement and rehabilitation were of paramount importance to enable the survivors to return their lives to normalcy. German tour operator Geoplan worked hand in hand with Exotissimo to construct a clinic in Ah Latt Chaung village in Kyimyintaing Township in Yangon. Completed on 17 June, this clinic is staffed by one doctor and one nurse to render medical assistance to the five nearby villages with a combined population of 12,800 people.

In Daedaye Township of Irrawaddy Division, Shwe Taung Su village saw the combined efforts of French travel company Ormes and Exotissimo to rebuild the local primary school. A total of 17,000 USD were expended in the reconstruction works to provide corrugated zinc sheet roofing, brick walls, hygienic drinking water and toilet facilities to the refurnished school. The students were delighted to receive stationery and uniforms from the donors when it officially opened on 6 July.

In Irrawaddy Division, we also assisted in the rebuilding efforts of a primary school in Koe Ein Dan village in Pyarpon Township. With 3,000 USD, the school now boasts of corrugated zinc sheet roofing, bamboo walls with timber poles and sanitation facilities. The completed school has been used by the five teachers and 110 students since its opening on 3 August.

Recognising the need for the villagers to resume their farming livelihoods, Exotissimo donated hand-tillers and portable tractors including diesel supplies to the villages of Thamein Htaw Kon Tan, Thamein Htaw Thein Kon and Ah Phaung in Pyarpon Township. The Vietnam Women's Association Bazaar also kindly donated 14 hand-tillers to these villages. All these equipment donations amounted to 20,430 USD. We are currently in the process of rebuilding a primary school in Hti Tan village in the same township.

It has been five months since Cyclone Nargis battered the Irrawaddy Delta. Exotissimo continues to be hard at work on the ground to aid the lives of many in this region. We wish to thank all friends, partners and individual donors who have rendered kind assistance and donations to our relief efforts in Myanmar.

The funds collected totaled to 116,430 USD. Exotissimo pledges to use the remaining balance of 44,746 USD in the most meaningful way. All aid was delivered directly to the affected people.

Updated on 24th September 2008

Donate to the Myanmar Cyclone Relief Fund

If you wish to help the people of Myanmar donate here to make a credit card donation for any amount. To put things in perspective: 40 USD will buy one bag of rice that can feed a family of four for a month; 300 USD will pay for a basic house to shelter a homeless family.

By visiting our site today, you have shown that you have a heart and want to the poor victims of the recent cyclone in Myanmar. These unfortunates may never get the chance to 'thank you' in person. On their behalf we would like to say 'Thank you.'

Exotissimo Travel is a leading Destination Management Company in Southeast Asia. We are not an aid or charity organization, though we do represent a network of 14 operations offices across the area, including four offices in Myanmar. We work and live in the area out of a shared love and connection with the people and the place.

Disasters can destroy lives in an instant, and we are working to minimize its awful impact. Please join us in this effort to provide hope to this unfortunate area. Small contributions now can make incredible differences for many.

Every donated dollar will go to relief organizations. We will use our experience in Myanmar to ensure that the aid goes to charities able to provide the relief efficiently.
Thank you in advance for your generosity.