UNICEF builds amusement center for cyclone-victimized children in Myanmar

The amusement centers , which were handed over to the Ministry of Education recently, are scattered in Nargis-struck Kungyangon, Kawmu, Kyaiklatt, Phyapon, Dedaye, Bogalay, Laputta, Nputaw and Mawgyun in Ayeyawaddy delta and Yangon region.

A total of 9,500 children benefited from the newly-established infrastructure, the report said.

The UNICEF started building the children amusement centers in the post-Nargis period in late 2008 and it took two years to complete, it added.

Meanwhile, dozens of private companies also built 28 cyclone shelters in the cyclone-hit regions, contributing to the relief and resettlement efforts in the post-Nargis period.

Deadly tropical cyclone Nargis, which occurred over the Bay of Bengal, hit five regions and states -- Ayeyawaddy, Yangon, Bago, Mon and Kayin on May 2 and 3, 2008, of which Ayeyawaddy and Yangon regions inflicted the heaviest casualties and massive infrastructure damage.

The cyclone, which was the strongest ever in the course of Myanmar history, claimed the lives of over 130,000, ravaging over 300,000 houses in seven townships in Ayeyawaddy region and over 200,000 houses in 42 townships in Yangon region, Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.xinhuanet.com for full version.