Our friend, the cow

Daw Nyo is adamant that without her two cows, she would be unable to survive. “I need them both for my farm and to move around,” she says.

So she is understandably worried by the fact that these two beasts of burden are badly emaciated. 

“If I lose them, my family will lose everything,” laments the 50-year-old woman from Myauk Kyun village in Mandalay’s Myangyan area. 

The malnutrition is the direct result of the natural disasters that rocked this part of the world last year. The worst floods in 50 years hit Myanmar in July. In addition to huge human casualties, a large number of animals also died. |Those who did survive have had little food to sustain them, never mind their livestock. 

Rescue came in the form of a team from World Animals Protection (WAP) who last September headed to some of the disaster-hit areas in the hope of helping the affected livestock. 

Among the beneficiaries was Daw Nyo’s village where locals grow corn, tobacco and sesame. They also raise the livestock that are so vital to their daily lives. 

“We chose this village because it has a huge number of affected animals. We believe that by saving livestock, people benefit too,” says Naritsorn Pholperm, a Disaster Operations veterinary officer with WAP. 

The veterinarian coordinated with Myanmar’s livestock authority in organising the trip. 

Located 200 kilometres away from Mandalay town, Myauk Kyun village is home to about 1,300 people. 

Another villager Ukaw Sue Lwin says her cows fell ill during the big flood.

Than Myin, a livestock official in Myanmar, adds that in the weeks following the inundation, the village was faced with thousands of ailing and malnourished animals with no help in sight.

“Locals rely heavily on their animals so their lives became very difficult,” Than Myin explains. 

The situation improved only after various agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations stepped in to help. 

The WAP team gave minerals bars to 330 families in Myanmar to help them nourish their livestock during the difficult times. 

“Our operations cover 15,000 animals,” Naritsorn says.

Last month the WAP team was back in Myauk Kyun village on a follow up to the original mission. This time, the villagers were struggling with drought and more mineral bars were handed out. 

Naritsorn points out that the poverty in villages like these means that people cannot buy animal feed. Mineral bars for livestock were thus an important form of aid, particularly in the wake of disasters.

“Many areas in Myanmar are caught up in this vicious cycle of floods and drought,” he says.

WAP has been working in Myanmar eight years and many of its projects are long term. They include the installation of early-warning systems to help people deal better with disaster risks. 

“We have also provided training to government officials and community leaders in manning the early-warning system, preparing evacuation centres and stocking food,” Naritsorn says.

On this last mission, the team was accompanied by WAP’s ambassador, television actor Phakin Khamwilaisak. Tono, as he is better known, freely admitted that he couldn’t speak a word of the local language but said he hoped his smiles would bring some happiness. 

Phakin was always smiling when locals approached and asked for photo opportunities. 

While Thai TV dramas do show on Myanmar television stations, the residents of Myauk Kyun had never seen Phakin the small screen. In fact they had no idea he was a |singer and actor until| the WAP team introduced him. 

His sunny personality and good looks quickly won them over and his presence did much to brighten the days in this disaster-hit area. 

“This was my first overseas trip as the WAP ambassador. I hope I can continue serving the WAP. I want to spread happiness around,” Phakin said.