Cyclone Nargis Update

May 7, 2008

 

 

Note: New content has been inserted in red, italicized, bold font.

 

Current Status

 

Tropical Cyclone Nargis struck southwestern Myanmar (Burma) at around 16:00 Friday (May 2) local time, packing sustained winds of 120 mph (190 kph). There was no reported change in the Myanmar government’s official death toll on Wednesday (May 7), which remains at 22,464 people, with 41,000 missing. The UN World Food Program (WFP) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) estimate that more than 1 million people were made homeless by the storm. (IHT, May 6) The country's main city and former capital, Yangon (Rangoon), was devastated by the storm. Nargis is being called the worst cyclone to hit Asia since a 1991 storm killed 143,000 people in Bangladesh. (Reuters, May 6) Myanmar's minister of relief and resettlement, Maung Maung Swe, said more deaths were caused by the 12-foot (3.5-meter) tidal wave that hit the coastline than by the storm itself. (IHT, May 6)

 

Save the Children's in-country representatives estimated Tuesday (May 6) that the death toll would climb as high as 50,000. (AFP, May 6) The US’ top diplomat in Yangon says cyclone deaths could exceed 100,000. (CNN, May 7)

 

Nargis touched down in Irrawaddy Division, about 155 miles (250 km) southwest of Yangon. The Irrawaddy delta is the country's major rice-producing area and officials anticipate extensive damage to crops. After making landfall, the storm passed directly over Yangon late Friday night local time, causing widespread destruction to buildings and infrastructure. It then tracked toward the northeast on Saturday (May 3), skirting northwestern Thailand before dissipating in Myanmar's Kayin (Karen) state. Yangon, Irrawaddy Division, Bago (Pegu) Division, Kayin (Karen) state and Mon state have all been declared disaster zones. Twenty-four million of the country's 53 million people live in those five regions. Some 6 million live in Yangon.

 

Myanmar's government has said that it will welcome international aid, but travel restrictions and customs regulations continue to hinder relief efforts. Myanmar approved the visas of four members of a five-member UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) Team that has been meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, and the team expects to arrive in Yangon Thursday (May 8) at 18:50 local time. (UN, May 7) The government also approved a UN aid flight Wednesday that will transport 25 tons of supplies along with some UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) personnel. (AFP, May 7) French officials have suggested invoking a UN “responsibility to protect” clause and delivering aid without awaiting approval from the military. They say the UN is discussing the idea. (MSNBC, May 7)

 

The UN says this is a critical time for the cyclone-affected and if assessments are not provided in the next few days, thousands more could die. UN and humanitarian agencies already in the country have begun assessments, but access to many areas remains restricted. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), along with the Myanmar Red Cross, have assessment teams deployed in the field. Damaged infrastructure and communication lines will pose major problems for relief operations, according to UNOCHA. (UNOCHA, May 6)

 

More than US$32 million has been offered so far in foreign aid, including US$9.85 million from the United Kingdom, US$3.25 from the US, US$3.1 million from the European Commission and US$2.8 million from Australia. Myanmar's government has so far pledged about US$5 million for disaster response. (UNOCHA, May 5) There is no update on whether the government's Ministry of Social Welfare will relax some customs regulations to make it easier for relief stocks to enter the country. (UNOCHA, May 6)

 

The UN’s resident coordinator is preparing a Flash Appeal in cooperation with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC). Plastic sheeting, water purification tables, cooking sets, mosquito nets, emergency health kits, food and fuel remain urgent needs. (UNOCHA, May 6)

 

 

Impact

 

The official death toll remains at 22,464, with 41,054 missing, but both figures are expected to climb as aid workers gain access to remote areas. Save the Children estimates as many as 50,000 may have died, while a US diplomat in Yangon expects the toll to exceed 100,000. About 24 million of Myanmar's 53-million population lives in the five regions that have been declared disaster zones - Yangon city, Irrawaddy Division, Bago (Pegu) Division, Kayin (Karen) state and Mon state. State-run media reports that 47 townships were affected, seven in the Irrawaddy Delta. (WHO, May 7) No damage or injury estimates have been released. Seven million people are believed to have been affected by hurricane-strength winds (74 mph/119 kph or higher). (UNOCHA, May 6)

 

According to the government, 21,793 of the dead and 40,695 of the missing are from the low-lying Irrawaddy Delta region where the storm touched down. Several sources report that 95 percent of structures along the delta were destroyed. The delta's population is around 6 million. In the Irrawaddy town of Bogalay, about 90 miles southwest of Yangon, an estimated 10,000 people died. According to the government, at least 57 ships sunk in the Irrawaddy River and dozens of smaller boats were also lost. The delta’s population is estimated at 6 million and about 1.8 million people live below 16.4 feet (5 meters) in elevation. (UNOCHA, May 6)

 

The WFP and IFRC estimate that more than 1 million people are without shelter or safe drinking water due to the storm.

 

Thousands of people in Yangon, a city of about 6 million, are reportedly camping out in government school buildings and monasteries. The city's one airport remains closed because of damage and flooding.

 

Electricity and communication lines were taken out in the storm and UNOCHA says it will be several days before either are repaired. Landlines remain down, but some cell phones are functioning. (UNOCHA, May 6)

 

Officials say an insufficient supply of potable water will be a major problem as very little running water is available in Yangon. Aid agencies fear the widespread destruction could yield epidemics of food- and water-borne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, as well as hinder efforts to fight tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases that require frequent vaccination and medication. The UN's World Health Organization (WHO) says damage to health facilities and loss or displacement of health care workers pose another major problem for access to health services. (WHO, May 6)

 

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported Wednesday that Nargis may have affected the 2007 secondary rice paddy crops, which are harvested between April and June, but the extent of damage is not clear without an assessment. The five affected states are primarily agricultural societies occupied by the rural poor. They produce 65 percent of the country’s rice, 20 percent of rubber plantations, 50 percent of poultry, 40 percent of pigs and 80 percent of fish aquaculture ponds and 26 percent of shrimp aquaculture ponds. There is a risk that rice stored by farmers might have been affected by flooding. (FAO, May 7)

 

The already severe food insecurity situation looks set to become more acute. (UNOCHA, May 6).

 

Thailand reported five districts in Tak province along the border have encountered serious flooding conditions from continuous heavy rains. More than 100 houses have been inundated and over 1,000 left homeless.

 

 

Background

 

Cyclone season is the Bay of Bengal typically runs from May through November. Nargis was the first cyclone to hit the Bay since category-4 Cyclone Sidr struck Bangladesh on November 15, killing nearly 3,400 people and devastating the southeastern coastline. In May 2004, the junta made a rare request for assistance after a cyclone hit Rakhine state, killing at least 140 people and displacing around 18,000 others. Some casualty estimates put the death toll for the 2004 storm at more than 1,000. It was reportedly the worst storm to hit Rakhine since 1968 and carried sustained winds up to 100 mph.

 

 

Country Profile

 

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has a population of about 53 million and has been ruled by a succession of military juntas since 1962. It is one of Asia's poorest nations. The current junta, ruling since 1988, has isolated the country from the outside world, making it difficult at times to extract information about events taking place in the country. The capital city, Naypyidaw, is located about 240 miles (390 km) north of Yangon.

 

Many Western nations have imposed sanctions on Myanmar in protest of its alleged human rights abuses and a crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy protests in September 2007 in which at least 31 people were killed. Myanmar receives far less foreign aid - about $US2.50 per capita - than regional neighbors Cambodia ($47) and Laos ($63) and below the $14 average for low-income nations, according to Reuters.

 

 

Government Response

 

Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win has said his country will welcome international aid. The government itself has pledged about US$5 million in relief funds so far.

 

Military and police units have been deployed as part of rescue and relief operations

 

The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is coordinating the response to the disaster. An Emergency Committee has been established, headed by the prime minister. The committee has declared Yangon, Irrawaddy Division, Bago (Pegu) Division, Kayin (Karen) state and Mon state all disaster zones. The committee has also mobilized military and police units for rescue, rehabilitation and clean-up operations in the Yangon area. Myanmar’s Information Management Unit (MIMU) has taken the lead in information management activities (UNOCHA, May 6)

 

Myanmar's Minister of Information, Kyaw Hsan, said Tuesday in a press conference that the government is trying to stem profiteering as prices of food, fuel and building materials soared in Nargis' aftermath. "We appeal to entrepreneurs and businessmen not to cash in on the disaster," the International Herald Tribune quoted him as saying.

 

 

National Response

 

Myanmar's Red Cross planned to dispatch five assessment teams Monday to Yangon, Irrawaddy, Bago East, Bago West, Mon and Kayin. The agency is distributing 5,000 liters (1,321 gallons) of drinking water to schools and pagodas where people have sought temporary shelter in Yangon.

 

 

International Response

 

United Nations

 

A five-member UNDAC team, led by Eliane Provo Kluit from OCHA, has been dispatched and is convening in Bangkok. The team has made plans for a relief operation and four out of five members’ visas have been accepted. The team plans to arrive in Yangon Thursday (May 8) at 18:50 local time. (UN, May 7). The UN’s resident coordinator and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) are preparing a Flash Appeal. (UN, May 7)

 

The Irrawaddy news magazine reported that the UN has released US$5 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund. (Irrawaddy, May 7)

 

Myanmar’s government has approved a UN aid flight carrying 25 tons of emergency supplies, including water purification tables, generators, tents, tarpaulins, food, covers and mosquito nets. The flight will leave Italy Wednesday and will also transport some OCHA personnel, according to Agence France-Presse. The International Herald Tribune, however, reported that the flight will not leave until the end of the week due to insufficient supplies at the UN’s Italian base. (AFP, IHT, May 7)

 

A United Nations Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) with assistance from an Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) developed a cluster system for the Myanmar relief effort on Monday (May 5): The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) leads the water/sanitation, education and protection clusters. The World Health Organization (WHO) leads the health cluster. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) heads the shelter cluster. The World Food Program (WFP) heads the logistics cluster. The UN Development Program (UNDP) heads the early recovery cluster. The telecommunications cluster has not yet been assigned a leader. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has offered to lead an agricultural cluster, but initially will assist food security efforts. The IASC has already carried out initial preparedness and coordination activities and hopes that the cluster system will facilitate the preparation of a Flash appeal, should one be needed. OCHA hosted a second meeting of regional cluster leaders on Tuesday in which leaders were urged to prepare to fully support their IASC country team counterparts and seek the inclusion of NGO partners. (UNOCHA, May 6)

 

UNICEF is deploying five teams Monday to assess damages in Yangon, Pathein (the capital of Irrawaddy Division) and Bago. UNICEF has water, school, nutrition and medical kits prepared for delivery. UNICEF has begun delivering relief supplies to the Irrawaddy Delta, including medicine, first-aid kits and oral rehydration tablets. (UNICEF, May 6)

 

The UNHCR is providing some relief materials. UNHCR has some workers on the ground in Myanmar.

 

The WFP began distributing food to displaced persons in Yangon Tuesday, with plans to send aid to Labutta, the town hardest-hit by the cyclone in Irrawaddy Division, on Wednesday. WFP now has 800 MT of food in warehouses in Yangon and a flight with additional relief stocks is due to land Wednesday (May 7). (WFP, May 6)

 

The WHO has mobilized 10 Interagency Emergency Health Kits, 100 body bags, 35,000 chlorine tablets and five tents. (WHO, May 7) Because the UNDAC team has not yet been given access to the country, WHO has ordered its in-country polio surveillance network team to begin initial assessments. WHO has opened a temporary crisis health center in its Yangon office. The agency estimates it will need US$1 million to address initial health concerns in the coming days. (WHO, May 6)

 

The FAO has released figures of the potential impact to agriculture (see IMPACT section above). It is carrying out a joint assessment of food needs with the WFP. (FAO, May 7)

 

 

NGOs / IOs

 

ActionAid is mobilizing staff from other Asian countries to help its team in Myanmar respond to the cyclone. The area worst affected by the cyclone – the Irrawaddy Division – is one where ActionAid works. ActionAid has started an emergency program with their partner KDN, a church-based network working in 276 villages in the affected areas, and five other teams are already working on how to further scale up the response to the disaster. ActionAid’s country director is meeting with the UN, ECHO (European Commission Humanitarian Organization) and other NGOs to plan a coordinated response. (AA, May 6)

 

The British Red Cross has released US$59,100 (30,000 pounds) from its disaster fund.

 

CARE has commenced the delivery of direct relief targeting 50,000 families in South Dagon, Thaketa and Patone. CARE is distributing: Non-food items, including distribution of plastic sheeting and family kits (basic household items for cooking), food, water, and ensuring access to clean water through the supply of water purification tablets and safe water storage containers for families. CARE has worked in Myanmar for 14 years and has 500 staff members and offices in 11 of the 14 states. (CARE, May 7)

 

Caritas network of Catholic aid agencies is coordinating relief efforts for its 162 national members and working with staff in the region. (CI, May 6)

 

Christian Aid has committed an emergency grant. Christian Aid partners in Burma are assessing the situation after a severe cyclone tore through the city of Yangon. (CA, May 6)

 

Church World Service (CWS) is appealing for US$50,000 to start its relief operations in Myanmar.

 

Concern Worldwide has launched an emergency appeal and will be working through international partners who already have staff on the ground. Concern's Emergency Response Team, along with trained staff from India and Bangladesh, are also ready to deploy once the critical needs have been identified. (Concern, May 7)

 

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is providing emergency assistance to communities in Burma affected by Nargis. Working with the Anglican Church of Burma, ERD is sending funds to secure shelter, food water and other relief needs for people displaced. (ERD, May 6)

 

Global Refugee International will provide an airplane shipment of WHO-approved medical supplies to be flown into Yangon. The agency hopes to have 50,000 to 70,000 people on the ground for the next three months.

 

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) plans to deliver aid to various places of detention affected by the cyclone. At the request of the Myanmar authorities, the ICRC will provide temporary shelter, emergency household items, and enough food, drinking water and essential drugs to last two weeks. In addition, it will support efforts to restore the water and sanitation systems to working order. The ICRC is also considering how best to help family members separated by the disaster to re-establish contact with one another and how best to help in the recovery, identification and dignified management of the dead. It has drawn up an initial budget of US$1.9 million (2 million Swiss francs) for this operation. The ICRC has already donated medical supplies to the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) and it has provided a generator for a Ministry of Defense hospital. The ICRC has made four vehicles with drivers available to the MRCS to enable it to assess needs in the worst-hit areas. The ICRC and the IFRC are coordinating their efforts to support the MRC as it assesses and responds to the needs. The ICRC currently has five expatriate and 90 local staff working in Myanmar. (ICRC, May 7)

 

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has released an initial US$189,000 (200,000 Swiss Francs) from the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to help with the Red Cross response in Myanmar. IFRC issued an additional emergency appeal for a preliminary figure of US$1.3 million on May 6. IFRC’s Regional Disaster Manager is now in Myanmar. IFRC has pre-positioned stocks in Kuala Lumpur and Dubai. (IFRC, May 7) Red Cross teams are now on the ground assessing damages in all five affected regions of Myanmar. IFRC plans to release 2,000 shelters and 2,000 family kits. IFRC lists its top relief priority as shelter. The IFRC is supporting the Myanmar Red Cross (MRC) in their efforts to address the needs of the affected people. The MRC is handing out drinking water, plastic sheeting, clothing, insecticide-treated bed nets and kitchen items. Additionally, IFRC has sent a first deployment of shelter kits from Kuala Lumpur. (IFRC. May 6)

 

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has a strong presence in Mon state and says it is prepared to lead the shelter cluster, as well as provide non-food items and medical supplies.

 

International Medical Corps (IMC) is mobilizing resources to respond with emergency relief to survivors. IMC is identifying the most immediate needs of the cyclone victims and how best to get the emergency supplies to them. To help those most impacted by the cyclone, IMC is preparing to deploy an emergency response team that will address urgent health needs as well as distribute medical supplies, water purification tablets, sanitation items and hygiene kits. IMC is also exploring potential local partnerships to maximize relief efforts. (IMC, May 6)

 

International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) will provide cash support to its ecumenical partners toward emergency relief supplies for the survivors in Myanmar, as well as issuing an Emergency Appeal for the crisis. (IOCC, May 7)

 

International Rescue Committee is dispatching an emergency team to Myanmar to rapidly assess needs and lay the groundwork for urgent assistance for people made homeless by the weekend's devastating cyclone. The IRC team will begin to assemble in Yangon Tuesday (May 6). (IRC, May 6)

 

Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC): Based on need assessment done by the Field Assessment Coordination Team (FACT) the MRC will provide relief and health items through Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS). Through the IFRC, the MRC is going to deploy 10 of its personnel that will consist of Medical, Relief and Logistic skills to support the MRCS. The Malaysian Red Crescent has transmitted US$10,000 to the Myanmar Red Cross Society. (MRCS, May 7)

 

Malteser International is providing US$15,490 (10,000 Euros) in assistance. The organization is providing an additional (US$78,000) 50,000 Euros for emergency relief activities. Caritas International supports Malteser’s emergency relief with further (US$78,000) 50,000 Euros. The German Federal Foreign Ministry also agreed to financially support the work. Malteser ordered further water disinfection tablets to distribute them to the population in the district of Dawbon and in the poor rural settlement of Tantabin. A medical team is also providing first aid for the survivors in the Yangon Division. Malteser is planning the distribution of plastic covers for the construction of temporary shelters, cookware, mosquito nets and the construction of further water tanks that catch between 1,000 and 2,000 liters (264 and 528 gallons) and can provide safe drinking water for hundreds of people. (MI, May 6)

 

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) teams in the country began assessing and responding to the needs of the population in Yangon and the neighboring areas. MSF teams, who are able to circulate freely, have distributed food and plastic sheeting, and have begun treating water in Yangon. In the outskirts of Yangon, MSF organized the distribution of plastic sheeting, jerrycans and fuel for water pumps to some 5,000 people. On May 6 teams were also able to distribute one-week's worth of food rations composed of rice, dried beans and oil to 1,000 people in the Twantey area. In addition malaria and dengue fever are prevalent, even endemic, in this area, so MSF is also planning a mosquito net distribution in the coming days. Twenty international staff, all experts in emergency intervention, are ready to join the MSF teams in Myanmar. A cargo plane containing 40 tons of first aid materials, plastic sheeting, therapeutic food and sanitary materials, is ready to leave from Europe. (MSF, May 7)

 

Mercy Corps says that it is accepting donations to help partners on the ground to bring relief to the affected. (MC. May 6)

 

Muslim Aid is appealing for US$2 million worth of funds to help the thousands of surviors left homeless by the disaster. US$200,000 has already been allocated as Muslim Aid prepares its relief work on the ground. We will be working with our partners Global Medic providing clean water, medicine and emergency healthcare. (Muslim Aid, May 7)

 

Operation USA announced today that it has deployed staff already stationed in Asia to assess the needs. (OpUSA, May 6)

 

Oxfam International is assessing the situation and has committed US$800,000 to an initial response and together with affiliate organizations has a team on standby. Oxfam currently does not run operational programs in the country. With a mixture of relief goods, technical expertise, and equipment, Oxfam will be responding to the crisis through a handful of partner organizations. Oxfam is also providing funds to other international aid groups already established within Myanmar. Oxfam is exploring other options for offering assistance including assigning staff members to work with UN agencies. (Oxfam, May 7)

 

Project HOPE is moving to gather medical supplies. (PH, May 7)

 

Save the Children (SC): Since May 5, SC has distributed 2 metric tons of food, plastic sheeting, water purification tablets, kitchen equipment, re-hydration salts and other non food items to over 30,000 children and families whose homes have been destroyed. (SC, May 7) As the largest NGO presence in Myanmar, is leading the education cluster.

 

Tearfund partner agencies inside Myanmar are responding to the thousands of people that were affected. Partner’s programs are providing response in the form of shelters, food and clean water through a network of churches in the region. Through its partner staff Tearfund is assessing the extent of the need. On top of its existing development program Tearfund has committed US$296,000 (£150,000) to emergency relief. (Tearfund, May 6)

 

Telecoms Sans Frontieres (TSF) team is on stand-by and ready to deploy to Burma. TSF and its regional office in Bangkok are closely monitoring the situation, ready to deploy as soon as the government requests for International support. (TSF, May 7)

 

Trócaire today (May 6) launched an emergency appeal. Trócaire has been working in Myanmar since 1995 and spent US$ 2.5 million (€1,585,222) there in 2006 – 2007. (Trocaire, May 6)

 

Tzu Chi Foundation says it has begun to rush aid to cyclone victims in Myanmar. The Foundation has sent some 100 Thailand-based members and volunteers to distribute relief material and medicine. (DPA, May 7)

 

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding to the widespread need in Myanmar. UMCOR will work through partners such as Church World Service, one of the few agencies with permits to work in Myanmar. Additional avenues of response are being explored through Action by Churches Together and other partners. UMCOR continues to monitor the situation and expects to respond to help the people of Myanmar recover as opportunities become available. (UMCOR, May 7)

 

World Emergency Relief (WER) has launched an emergency appeal. WER is appealing for donations to provide emergency supplies to the region. WER is in close contact with local partner agencies in Yangon, to assess the immediate needs of victims. A WER team will leave Thailand for Myanmar on May 8 to deliver initial medical supplies. WER is also preparing further medical supplies for immediate airfreight to the country. (WER, May 7)

 

World Relief is working with partners from the Global Relief Alliance, and will channel vital aid to the people who need it the most. (WR, May 7)

 

World Vision is distributing water and 10 metric tons of food in Yangon. It is appealing for US$3 million in global donations to support its relief efforts. Initial supplies handed out will include zinc sheets, tents, tarpaulins and medicines.

 

 

Foreign Governments

 

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) repeated calls Tuesday for its member nations to provide urgent assistance to Myanmar. (Jakarta Post, May 6)

 

Australia has given an initial US$2.8 million (A$3 million), with A$1 million of the donation going to aid agencies for shelter, water purification and food. (Reuters, May 7)

 

Canada has set aside up to US$2 million to respond to help the cyclone-affected through UN agencies, the Red Cross and major NGOs. (Government of Canada, May 6)

 

China says it will give US$500,000 in cash to Myanmar, as well as tents, blankets and biscuits worth a further US$500,000. (Reuters, May 5)

 

Denmark has indicated a donation of US$2.1 million. (OCHA, May 6)

 

The Czech Republic has offered US$65,000 in aid. (Irrawaddy, May 7)

 

France has given about US$320,000 (200,000 euros) in aid. (Reuters, May 7)

 

The European Commission announced Tuesday that it will give US$3.1 million (2 million Euros) in fast-track aid. The funds will be managed by the Commission's Humanitarian Aid Department. (European Commission, May 6)

 

Germany will give around US$775,000 through German aid organizations to provide shelter, drinking water, utensils and mosquito nets. (Reuters, May 5)

 

Greece has pledged about US$300,000 in aid and has committed one plane carrying aid. (Reuters, May 5)

 

India will soon send two naval ships loaded with food, tents, clothing, blankets and medicine, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. The ships are expected to arrive early Wednesday (May 7). Two transport aircraft with supplies are also due to arrive Wednesday. (Reuters, May 7)

 

Indonesia will give US$1 million and will send food, medicine and other humanitarian aid. (Reuters, May 5)

 

Ireland has donated relief supplies that are being airlifted to Myanmar from UN warehouses in Italy. The Irish Rapid Response Corps is also on stand-by for deployment if requested. (AFP, May 6)

 

Israel is mobilizing a monitoring team to address water/sanitation issues. (UN, May 7)

 

Italy is preparing a bilateral shipment of water and sanitation supplies and shelter items, including mosquito netting, plastic sheeting and water containers. Italy has also given US$191,000 (123,000 Euros) to the IFRC. (UN, May 5)

 

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is sending tents and generators to arrive Thursday (May 8) worth US$267,570. (Reuters, May 5)

 

A Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team is on standby. (UN, May 7)

 

The Netherlands has made available US$1.55 million (1 million euros), but will not distribute the money until it determines which relief agencies are being allowed into Myanmar. (Govt of Netherlands, May 6)

 

New Zealand has given an immediate grant of US$394,000 (NZ$500,000) to be distributed through the UN and aid agencies. (Reuters, May 7)

 

Norway will provide about US$2 million (10 million NOK) in emergency relief (Govt. of Norway, May 6) The Norwegian Emergency Preparedness System is ready with relief items to support the UN mission. (UN, May 7)

 

The Philippines plans to send a 15-member medical team to Myanmar within the next 48 hours. (Govt of Philippines, May 7)

 

Qatar is standing by with general relief items to dispatch if necessary. (UNOCHA, May 5)

 

Russia's EMERCOM is providing tents and blankets, 15 MT of sugar and canned meat, 10 MT of disinfectants and medical supplies and eight generators to be delivered between May 10 and May 12. (UN, May 7)

 

Singapore is providing US$200,000 and its Civil Defense Force is on standby to offer medical and rescue teams. (UN, May 7)

 

South Korea is providing US$100,000 as its initial response. (UN, May 7)

 

Spain has donated about US$775,000 (500,000 euros) to the WFP for Myanmar. (Reuters, May 7)

 

Sri Lanka will give US$25,000 to the Myanmar government. The government is also considering sending a team of doctors and nurses to affected areas. (Xinhua, May 6)

 

Swedish Rescue Mission Services is ready to deploy experts on logistics, telecommunications and shelter on short notice.

 

Switzerland, through its Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), has released a funding package of US$475,000 (500,000 CHF). An assessment team including a doctor, a drinking water and building specialists, two logistics experts and a Swiss Red Cross member was dispatched to Myanmar Tuesday. (SDC, May 6)

 

Thailand has donated an initial US$100,000 and on Monday used C-130 aircraft to airlift nine metric tons of food and medical supplies worth US$314,960 (10 million Thai baht) to its neighbor. Thailand's public health ministry along with the Thai Red Cross and foreign ministry is prepared to deploy 19 doctor teams to Myanmar with medicines if requested (Xinhua, May 6).

 

The United Kingdom is contributing up to US$9.85 million (5 million pounds). The Department for International Development (DFID) will also send an additional field team to Myanmar to help with international relief efforts. One DFID team is already on the ground. (DFID, May 6)

 

The United States has offered US$3.25 million through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for water/sanitation, emergency food assistance and shelter through the UN, UNICEF, WFP and UNHCR. The US also has a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) on standby. President George W. Bush said Tuesday that at least two naval ships are also prepared to deploy for the Bay of Bengal with supplies and search crews should Myanmar accept the DART mission. The US Treasury is expediting approvals for aid groups to provide money and services although Myanmar’s has been under US sanctions since 2003. (AFP, USAID May 6, Reuters May 7)