The Leprosy Mission, based in Goldhay Way, Orton Goldhay, is one of the few organisations with an ongoing presence in Myanmar, Burma, which was struck by a cyclone on May 3, which swept through the low-lying Irrawaddy delta region leaving a trail of destruction.

Houses have been swept away, flooding has engulfed towns and power supplies have been crippled.

But The Leprosy Mission is using its experience in leprosy and disability work to rebuild the lives of more than 1,500 people with disabilities, living in the delta and Yangon regions, who have been severely affected by the cyclone.

The situation in Yangon is becoming very difficult, with water and food shortages, and as yet no electricity and very little communications but the charity have staff on the ground and are already co-ordinating a response.

The Leprosy Mission’s project will restore existing facilities for disabled people which have been severely damaged, placing large numbers of vulnerable people at risk.

The charity will work to repair and reinstall community livelihood equipment, including grain mills and transport, and rebuild people’s houses to re-establish long-term sustainability.

The Leprosy Mission will also operate a referral service for international and local non-government organisations operating in affected areas to support people with disabilities to access relief and development assistance.

The charity’s country coordinator for Burma, Dr Mike Griffiths stressed the importance of supporting people into rehabilitation as quickly as possible, saying this process should start immediately “to reduce risk of disease outbreak”.

He said: “In the aftermath of a disaster, people with disabilities are one of the most vulnerable groups. As well as being traumatised, those with physical and sensory impairments are often unaware of the relief and rehabilitation services available and are unable to access them.

“With initial funding The Leprosy Mission has already begun locating and providing emergency relief to people with disabilities. However, in order to expand the work and provide continuing assistance more money is needed to fund the project.”

The charity has said the response they are mounting is likely to continue, in similar fashion to the response to the tsunami in 2004, for many years.

n To make a donation, call The Leprosy Mission on 01733 370505 or visit the website www.leprosy mission.org.uk