Fears for mental health of Myanmar cyclone survivors: aid group

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

BANGKOK (AFP) — Survivors of Myanmar's cyclone are plagued by visions of their lost loved ones and fears of further disaster as they try to summon the energy to rebuild their lives, a medical aid group said Wednesday.

Of the 2.4 million people affected by the cyclone which hit May 2-3, many remain in need of food, shelter and clean water, but Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said many were also losing the will to survive.

Kaz de Jong, one of MSF's mental health specialists, said about 40 percent of the people assessed by their 43 medical teams in Myanmar's disaster zone were showing signs of mental health problems.

"There are a lot of people who are very sad, very anxious, people have difficulties sleeping at night, they wake up, afraid that something may...