Earlier, we had discussed about building a school for village children in one of the cyclone hit areas. However, after the last expedition, we realised that people are still desperately in need of food and clothing.
One villager from Bogale township told the team:
"Some days, we don't have any rice to eat. Private donors give us bread. So we wash it down with water."
Many were very hungry when the team reached them; they immediately opened the biscuit packets to eat.
Meanwhile, the police are keeping a close watch on private donors. Our team was followed closely by a few policemen on motorbikes as they passed a stretch of road filled with refugees. While the refugees looked on hopefully, the team was unable to distribute any food as they have been warned repeatedly not to do so.
The local authorities say they want the refugees to return to their villages instead of camping by the roadside. However, many survivors say that it is impossible as their houses and farms have been destroyed and they have no way of making a living.
On the international aid front, UN and other NGO's are expanding their operations to accessible areas. The team witnessed packages of aid being brought in to Bogale, including farming equipment. However, small villages off the main road remain isolated.
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