How people in urban areas and rural ones withstand natural disasters?

In 2008, Yangon City which is one of the biggest and commercial city of Myanmar, encountered the giant storm, Naggis. Many lives and building were lost in that historic storm. So, to protect against this, we can see the different ways of dealing with disasters and risk mitigation depending on their circumstances. First of all, I would like to discuss how the communities in urban areas and rural ones prepared for the natural disaster and the different kinds of preparation between urban areas and rural ones.

As I see, the urban areas usually faced earthquakes, flooding and environmental pollution. Today, the construction makes sure whether the building can withstand the natural disasters or not. The local people said that the safety became the most important things in the late years. By doing this, we do can protect ourselves from huge storm like Naggis or earthquakes. Moreover, the government also makes campaign for the citizens how to prevent from disasters every year. A citizen said that the government should increase the amount of budget use in community facilities and services. In the last few years, the schools and hospitals were built with modern technique to withstand the earthquakes. To prevent against air pollution, we must decrease the number of high buildings and factories. What's more, building sewage is also one of the effective ways to prevent from flooding and water pollution. I see many sewages are building more and more today. Now, the teenagers and youth serve as volunteers in building the small sewages to decrease the level of water when the environment face with the heavy rain or storm. As our country is not rich enough to give full facilities for the refugees, I can learn many organizations and charity groups serve as a role to take care for the refugees.

On the other side, the rural areas usually encountered the landslides, deforestation, pest infestation and sometimes, the huge storm.

In 2008, the rural areas also suffered from Naggis. Many lives, household and community structure, livelihood, economic activities and were lost. So, to protect this, we do have responsibilities to make safe in rural areas. One of the local residences said that the government desire to make sure that the community have long-term post-disaster rehabilitation plans. When I visit to rural areas, I didn't see the much effective way to respond and cope with natural disasters. And, the local leader also explained me how the government support and how they were forced to plant more trees. Because the trees can withstand the huge wind and storm. In my opinion, I think the government and mayor should increase the number of buildings, apartments, markets and schools which can withstand the disasters. Planting trees may not be effective I think. It can prevent only from the wind. I can also see that nearly all houses have to keep the emergency kits. Another point is that the adults make canal or tunnel which is connected to the river to prevent from flood. One local people said that this is the best way to decrease the level of water. And, I do appreciate these methods and I expect many rural areas will build more tunnels.