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Myanmar - photo-report
A trip into the heart of destruction
Article published on the 2008-05-16 Latest update 2008-05-16 13:24 TU
A destroyed village on the road to Bogalay.
(Photo: Luc Auberger)
RFI’s Luc Auberger defied the Myanmar military government’s restriction on foreigners entering the affected zones and headed to Bogalay, one of the worst hit towns, to witness the rescue efforts and speak to those who survived. Here's his account of a journey into the heart of the destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis.
“We arrived in Bogalay after having avoided three checkpoints, one run by the army. 95% of the dwellings, often made of bamboo and sheet metal, were damaged or completely destroyed by the cyclone,” writes Auberger.
Some of the destruction in Bogalay.
(Photo: Luc Auberger)
The main street in Bogalay.
(Photo: Luc Auberger)
Thousands of refugees have gathered in the town, further straining the infrastructure as reconstruction begins, Auberger reports.
After visiting the town, Auberger took a boat ride on the Irriwaddy river delta to meet those who have stayed on their farms.
“After an hour and a half on the boat – which we spend hidden underneath tarpaulins – we arrive at our destination: the village of Kayan, or rather what is left of it – in other words, almost nothing!”
“The place has litterally been swallowed by the waters, suffocated by the winds, crushed by the storm! Only the monastery has resisted the tempest.”
In Kayan, only the monastery is left standing.
(Photo: Luc Auberger)
A villager tells his story: “The water rose two metres and the wave took everything. We weren’t prepared for that. All the houses were destroyed. Today, the 300 survivors have left for Bogalay to find aid. Me, I’m staying here with the monks.”
Villagers in Kayan, survivors of the cyclone.
(Photo: Luc Auberger)
Auberger returns to Yangon with some of the Monks who aided him on his journey. Thousands of refugees walk along the roads beside him.
