International red cross to help build schools in Myanmar cyclone-hit areas

YANGON, Sept. 4 -- The International Federation of Red Cross and

Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Japan Red Cross Society (JRCS) will join the

Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) to build 54 elementary schools in five

cyclone-hit regions at the end of this year, the local weekly Myanmar Post

reported.

They will build the schools in Bogalay, Phyapon Kyait Latt, Dedaye and

Laputta in southwestern Ayeyawaddy delta Yangon division respectively which were

torn by the cyclone, the report said.

The project will soon be implemented right after the monsoon season which

usually lasts from June to September, it said.

Meanwhile, the other four Red Cross from Chinese Taipei, Singapore,

Malaysia and Thailand will also help rebuild infrastructure such as schools,

hospitals and healthcare centers in the cyclone-hit divisions, earlier report

said.

The rehabilitation projects in the areas of Bogalay, Phyapon, Mawgyun and

Laputta are planned to be completed by the end of next year.

The rebuilt infrastructure will be used as cyclone shelters in case of

natural disaster in the future.

In May last year, deadly cyclone Nargis hit five divisions and states --

Ayeyawaddy, Yangon, Bago, Mon and Kayin. The storm killed 84,537 people and left

53,836 missing and 19,359 injured, according to official death

toll.