The Scot who gave hope and help to thousands

AFTER an hour of frantic paddling alongside the devastated cyclone-hit banks of the Irrawaddy Delta, Win Naing was beginning to lose hope.

His heavily pregnant daughter was struggling in the small canoe and desperately needed medical attention. Facing another eight hours' journey before they reached a hospital, and with his energy failing, he feared his daughter and her unborn child would die.

But as he rounded a bend in the river, Win Naing saw a big boat in the distance. It belonged to Paul Strachan, a Scots businessman who had donated it to aid organisations after Burma's Cyclone Nargis. Thanks to his generosity, the family had fresh hope of survival.

Khin Mar Oo, who was nine months pregnant, had clung to her father in terror when the cyclone devastated their village on 3 May. They survived the storm, but the health centre near their village was destroyed, leaving the terrified mother-to-be with a lengthy canoe ride to reach the nearest hospital, in Laputta.

Thanks to Mr Strachan, who had turned two of his four boats into floating hospitals, Khin Mar Oo had her baby girl in safety on board the 180ft vessel.

As Win Naing cradled his baby granddaughter in his arms, he said a silent prayer, thanking Mr Strachan's gift for saving his daughter and granddaughter.

The family were so grateful, the 8lb baby was named Pandawlin, after Pandaw, the name of Mr Strachan's boat, and Merlin, the UK-based medical agency whose staff delivered her.

Pandawlin was the first of five babies born on the boat, and Khin Mar Oo was one of more than 9,000 people who was treated on board Mr Strachan's floating hospitals.

In the course of the following months, thousands of people either made their own way to the ships, or were taken on board after smaller vessels acting as water ambulances were sent to bring people to be treated, while also distributing aid.

When the cyclone struck Burma, Mr Strachan, an Edinburgh-based businessman immediately contacted Merlin as well as the Save the Children charity. He gave them Pandaw II and Pandaw IV, two luxury vessels from his company, Pandaw River Cruises, which are usually used for tourist cruises in south-east Asia – they are replicas of Clyde-built steamers.

The charities kitted out the ships with medical equipment as well as food, water-storage containers and tarpaulin sheets – used to provide shelter from the monsoon rains. The vessels were sent down the Irrawaddy Delta in an attempt to provide medical attention for as many people as possible.

Apart from the tens of thousands of Burmese who died, thousands suffered broken limbs and deep cuts from flying debris caused by the cyclone.

On the Mr Strachan's ships, the wounded lay on mattresses as 27 Burmese staff tended the injured and the many others suffering from diarrhoea, pneumonia and respiratory infections.

On Pandaw II, Save the Children staff offered counselling to traumatised children, many of whom had lost their parents.

Sarah Roeder, Merlin's regional programmes officer for south-east Asia, said the injuries were different from those in other natural disasters. She said: "I couldn't believe the vast emptiness where the cyclone had struck. We saw lots of people with burns on their bodies from 120mph winds and rain. It would tear and burn the skin; some people were in incredible pain."

Much of the sickness was related to the lack of clean water, and there was mass dehydration and hunger. The Pandaws were able to purify large amounts of water, which helped with treating patients, providing basic facilities and sterilising medical equipment.

Mr Strachan, 45, received praise from many of those involved in taking aid to Burma.

Miss Roeder, 28, who spent two months working in the Irrawaddy Delta, said: "It would be impossible to quantify Paul's contribution. Without him, we would not have been able to provide the same level of service as we did. We wouldn't have reached so many people so quickly. He was fundamental in providing aid for literally thousands of people in the delta."

Ben Dempsey, Save the Children's media manager, was in Burma after the cyclone struck. He said: "It was extremely generous of Paul to provide his boats, and it allowed the response to be that much more effective.

"The delta is a difficult place to get around at the best of times, but having Paul's boat was fantastic, as we could move quickly and reach people who would have otherwise been stranded. There is no doubt that Paul's efforts saved lives."

Dr Ye Hein Naing, Merlin's chief medic on Pandaw IV, said: "This boat was a real life-saver. Having a boat this size gave us the ability to do whatever was needed to save lives."

Mr Strachan said: "Our team was in the right place at the right time. When you have been hit by a cyclone, there is no time to say thank you."

He is optimistic the cyclone could be a turning point for Burma. He said: "I think things will change, not just in the delta but over a longer period. What people will remember from the disaster is that we couldn't get aid in to Burma, and then the story just stopped.

The story that was never told was we did get in, and it did all work out. People got in and aid got in and great things did happen."

The businessman also raised £428,000, including £100,000 from an anonymous Scottish investor who has pledged a further £50,000 in the future.

And as Pandaw II and Pandaw IV return to normal duties, a 128ft-long barge has been purchased and transformed in to a permanent floating hospital to replace the two temporary floating clinics.

There is enough funding in place for at least two years of sailing around a regular schedule of remote river communities in Burma, delivering vital medical services. But Pandaw and Merlin are aiming even higher.

Mr Strachan said: "We're looking at a five-year plan. Pandaw would run the marine side of things and Merlin would provide the medical side. It looks very positive. There is life after death and things are working here."