An important report from Wet Let... and a plea
It is hard to properly convey how important the following report is, and I hope people may take time to read this properly, rather than going on to the next post. Just the sheer fact of the devastation and destruction that the report points towards is truly tragic to read in scale, although sadly, not surprising. Equally disappointing is to hear how these defenseless villagers must continue to fend for themselves while facing off against a professional military, while the world continues to stand by.
It is also rather unprecedented to learn that 68 regional monastic leaders came together to discuss the apocalyptical conditions they are now facing, and to find ways to work together to ensure the survival of their communities, who are now being made homeless or losing their lives at the hands of the Tatmadaw’s terror. At a time when many Burmese monks have fallen out of favor among the people for their disengagement during these current times, this report offers a clear example of how some monastics at least are continuing to do what they can to support the people.
On that note, please consider joining our mission to support the efforts of these monastic leaders. No contribution is too small, and everything will go towards easing their suffering, even if just a little.
“Current situations demands for assistance from donors within the country and international Dhamma friends. But we do not intend to put pressure to anyone.”
In Wetlet Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar, some villagers and Sanghas (Monks) from respective monasteries came for testimony of the damages in their villages. They witnessed their houses burnt and facing many difficulties of their lives by the Myanmar military, during the meeting of Wetlet Sanghas attended by 64 monks and 4 nuns.
According to their testimony, the magnitude of damage and estimated loss in their villages are, as follows:
(a) Total number of villages destroyed - 28 villages
(b) Total number of houses burned down - 1406 houses
(c) Total number of family members lost - 5460 persons (It was found that the 60 years of age are (126) in numbers, Aged 70 years are (84) and even (2) persons are above 90 years of age.)
(d) Total number of cows lost - 163
(e) Total number of pigs lost - 46
(f) Total number of goats lost - 118
(g) Total number of sheep lost - 8
And, including the separate buildings like kitchen and warehouses, motor cycles, machinery and tools, Furniture, clothing, kitchen utensils and other valuable things like gold, currency and jewelries, estimated loss is equivalent to 7.9 million USD approximately.
Since the affected families are not able to reconstruct their housings, they have to share the shelter in monasteries nearby. Most of the supports to them came from neighbouring villages, in terms of clothing and food. Health and medicines are widely in need until now.
Hence, we appreciate some contributions from anyone who can afford, to the basic essential items of the families: (1) Food, (2) Clothing, (3) Medicines, and (4) Temporary hut made in locally available resources.
For each family, the current need for survival in this period stands at $300 (USD).
Just to give one example, in a village called Mae Gone, (386) houses and (2) monasteries were burnt to the ground. Our monks themselves witnessed that the houses of their devotees have been destroyed in fire set by the soldiers. In some areas, Sanghas are facing difficulties of even getting the daily meal.
The Myanmar military and Pyu-Saw- Htee (local people who support Myanmar military) work out together to burn the villages here. Usually, they shoot from far away prior to their approach to the target village. They used big weapons with very loud explosions that made villagers extreme fear and the villagers had to run away all of a sudden. In some villages, shooting and approaching happened in the village while the villagers were having meal, taking bath and working chores. So they were not able to take the valuable things and lost everything.
Some monks explained the situations at their local villages. In some areas, due to the shooting of the big weapons and loud explosions make the villagers so frightened and they ran away immediately. They could not gather their belongings. Data showing the loss was seem to be high in those villages including the death of cattle and pigs. In some areas, long duration of fight and shootings just outside the villages and so, the villagers and the monks were unable to go outside the village and they faced the problems of food shortage. The animals died due to starvation. An old monk, about 83 years of age, with hearing defect previously, was found to be made deaf (could not hear anything) due to violent explosion nearby his monastery.
Finally, aiming the systematic implementation of support to the people, they agreed to form Sangha groups in respective village tracts. They also set the policies to get rid of any harm to local people as well as safety for themselves.
Current situations demands for assistance from donors within the country and international Dhamma friends. But we do not intend to put pressure to anyone. We are very much thankful to everyone who are willing to support them and we also send our best wishes to be in health of body and peace of mind. May you be free from any form of danger and anxiety.