Cyclone Nargis Update

May 8, 2008

 

 

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

 

Current Status

 

Tropical Cyclone Nargis struck southwestern Myanmar (Burma) around 16:00 Friday (May 2) local time, packing sustained winds of 120 mph (190 kph). State media reported that the death toll as of Thursday (May 8) was 22,997 people, with 42,019 missing. The UN says that it is expected that the figures will continue to rise. Majority of the deaths have occurred in the low-lying delta region, where 90-95% of the buildings have been destroyed (UN, DFID, May 8). More than 10,000 deaths have been reported in the town of Bogalay alone. (UN, May 8) 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 government 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) The US’ top diplomat in Yangon says cyclone deaths could exceed 100,000. (CNN, May 7)

 

Nargis touched down in the Irrawaddy Division, about 155 miles (250 km) southwest of Yangon. The hardest-hit 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 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. Entire villages in the delta are reportedly still submerged. (AP, May 8)

 

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 UN on Thursday said that only two UNDAC team members were granted access to Myanmar, while the 3 other team members were still in Bangkok awaiting visas. UNDAC team is strongly advising all international relief teams deploy only if they have pre-arrival visas. (OCHA, May 8).

 

Relief supplies from the UN began arriving in Myanmar Thursday. Two airplanes carrying high-energy biscuits, medicine and other relief supplies arrived in Yangon and two other planes were to follow. The planes had waited to fly out while the UN negotiated with Myanmar’s ruling junta. Relief items were airlifted from the UN Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) in Brindisi. (UN, AP, May 8) The government approved the 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) Many villagers, even those near the main city of Yangon, have reportedly complained that they have not received government assistance and were relying on aid from Buddhist monasteries. (AP, May 8).

 

The international community and the UN continue to urge the Myanmar government to lift restrictions and issue visas to allow international relief workers into the country. The UN said that between 30 and 40 visas requested by the UN and NGOs are pending with the government. Myanmar’s close ally, China, has urged the government to work with the international community in cyclone relief efforts. The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) appealed to the international community to keep sending aid through Thailand. However, rights group Amnesty International said that some aid groups may be delaying aid for fears that it may be siphoned off to the country’s army. The WFP also indicated similar concerns. (AP, May 8)

 

US Ambassador to Thailand Eric John said that US and Thai officials earlier thought they had permission to fly in US military C-130s loaded with aid but were later denied by Myanmar officials. It is unclear at this stage whether or not the decision will be reversed. Meanwhile, the US military is sending more relief supplies and equipment to a staging area in Thailand. (AP, May 8)

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) said it has received reports of malaria outbreaks in the worst-affected areas, and fears of waterborne diseases were increasing due to poor sanitation and dirty water conditions. (AP, May 8)

 

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$37 million has been offered so far in foreign aid, including US$9.85 million from the United Kingdom, US$5.3 million from China, 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)

 

The UN said that it has released US$10 million from its Central Emergency Relief Fund. (AP, May 8) The UN team in-country has completed a draft Flash Appeal and submitted it to UN headquarters. It is expected that the final appeal will be issued on May 9. (DFID, May 8)

 

The UN Country Team considers critical needs to be plastic sheeting, water purification tablets, cooking sets, mosquito nets, emergency health kits and food. UN says the food security situation in the country, which was already severe looked to become far more acute. (UN, May 8)

 

 

Impact

 

The official death toll remains at 22,997 people, with 42,019 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. 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) Entire villages in the delta are reportedly still submerged. (AP, May 8)

 

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

 

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 WHO said it has received reports of malaria outbreaks in the worst-affected areas, and fears of waterborne diseases were increasing. (AP, May 8)

 

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 are carrying out rescue and relief operations. The UN says there have been reports of the first helicopter deliveries to the delta region. (UN, May 8)

 

Myanmar Health Ministry officials are working with WHO in-country staff to carry out health assessments and distribute health kits. (UN. May 8)

 

The Ministry of Social Welfare is expected to meet with the Acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator on Thursday. (DFID, May 8)

 

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

 

The UN said that it has released US$10 million from its Central Emergency Relief Fund. (AP, May 8)

 

The UN team in-country has completed a draft Flash Appeal and submitted it to UN headquarters. It is expected that the final appeal will be issued on May 9. (DFID, May 8)

 

Relief supplies from the UN began arriving in Myanmar on Thursday. Two airplanes carrying high-energy biscuits, medicine and other relief supplies arrived in Yangon and two other planes were to follow. (AP, May 8)

 

The UN continues to consult closely with the government about the need for international support. The UN continues to stress that the issuance of visas and the easing of customs rules will greatly enhance the international community’s ability to meet Myanmar’s needs. (UN, May 8)

 

The UN on Thursday said that only two UNDAC team members were granted access to Myanmar, while the 3 other team members were still in Bangkok awaiting visas. UNDAC team is strongly advising all international relief teams deploy only if they have pre-arrival visas. (OCHA, May 8). 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)

 

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) The cluster approach has been activated by the Humanitarian Country Team to support government efforts. Cluster lead agencies held meetings in Bangkok. (UN, May 8)

 

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) UNICEF and Save the Children are currently leading on education. (UN, May 8). UNICEF is carrying out needs assessments in water/sanitation with 16 NGOs. Immediate priorities have been assessing damages to schools and planning for education to resume on June 1. (UN, May 8) UNICEF also launched an appeal for an initial US$8.2 million. (DPA, May8)

 

The UNHCR is providing some relief materials. UNHCR has some workers on the ground in Myanmar. UNHCR procured local plastic sheeting and shelter material worth US$50,000. Material stockpiled in Bangkok is being moved into the country. The agency says it hopes to deliver 22 tons of relief from Thailand starting Saturday (May 10). (UN, BP, May 8)

 

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) WFP is leading logistics cluster. A four-person support team has arrived in Bangkok. WFP has 3,900 MT of food commodities in-country, 980 of which are in Yangon. So far 30 MT delivered, with 8 MT planned for distribution. (UN, May 8)

 

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) WHO in-country staff working with Ministry of Health officials. (UN, May 8)

 

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)

 

UN Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC) says an LRT team arrived in Bangkok on May 7 and is awaiting approval of visas. Logistics cluster meeting held in Yangon on May 7. Bangkok Logistics Cluster meeting held in Bangkok on May 8. (UNJLC, May 8)

 

 

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)

 

Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) is continuing its response in Myanmar with food assistance and emergency response personnel. In partnership with the WFP, ADRA Myanmar is coordinating the delivery of up to 250 metric tons of rice to the Labutta area, which will provide for 20,000 people for 30 days. (ADRA, May 8)

 

Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) is planning to mobilize local doctors and medical staff from the current office location in a central dry area to the affected areas. AMDA plans to organize a mobile clinic with the agency’s Myanmar office and its local staff, and has already given instruction to get approval from the government. On May 8 a staff member from AMDA Headquarters left Japan for Bangkok to purchase relief items. AMDA has been present in Myanmar for more than 10 years. (AMDA, May 8)

 

Air Serv International is conducting a needs-assessment and has helicopters ready to deliver supplies and relief workers. Air Serv has already mobilized its Rapid Response Team. (Air Serv, May 7)

 

Amnesty International (AI) calls on the government of Myanmar to ease visa restrictions and customs procedures that have hampered access by international relief workers over the past few days and slowed the delivery of desperately needed aid. (AI, May 7)

 

The British Red Cross Emergency Response logistics team will arrive in Yangon Friday evening (May 9). (Disasters Emergency Committee, May 8) 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 already committed US$98,000 (50,000 GBP) for local partners to carry out relief work. (CA, May 8) Christian Aid partners in Myanmar are assessing the situation. (CA, May 6)

 

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is making travel arrangements for an International Relief Manager to assess needs, begin early response coordination, and plan future response activities. A conference of North American faith-based organizations took place May 7 to continue planning and coordinate responses within the Irrawaddy delta region. A Myanmar government assessment mission involving U.N. representatives was also scheduled for May 7. CRWRC is awaiting clearance from the Myanmar government to bring immediate, emergency assistance into areas of Burma destroyed by the cyclone. While there are about 40 international NGOs working within Myanmar, CRWRC staff in the area report that there are few local high- to medium-capacity civic organizations or NGOs located within the country. (CRWRC, May 7)

 

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)

 

Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) member agencies’ teams are arriving in Myanmar along with emergency relief items. (See Merlin, British Red Cross and CARE for details on individual agencies). DEC will broadcast a national appeal to the UK for the DEC Myanmar Cyclone Appeal on May 8. (DEC, May 8)

 

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.

 

HelpAge International is coordinating an emergency response team to assess the situation of the estimated 170,000 older people in Myanmar affected by Cyclone Nargis. The team will arrive in the city of Yangon over the next few days. (HelpAge, May 7)

 

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) two 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 Defence 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 two relief flights arriving in Myanmar on May 8 and a field assessment and coordination (FACT) team is being prepared for deployment. (IFRC, May 7) The plane leaving from Malaysia will carry 6 to 7 tons of reconstruction supplies, including plastic sheeting, nails, hammers and twine for repair of damaged houses, but will not carry any Red Cross personnel. The plane will be met by Myanmar Red Cross (MRC) staff in Yangon to take the supplies to the aid agency’s warehouses, then quickly distributed through the 17,000 local Red Cross volunteers. (DPA, IFRC, May 8) The IFRC has high hopes that progress on visas will allow the first key handful of personnel to arrive in Myanmar on Friday (May 9) morning. MRC is not allowing any Red Cross Red Crescent staff to enter on tourist visas. The IFRC has been discussing coordination efforts with MRC. (IFRC, May 8) IFRC launched a preliminary emergency appeal on Tuesday (May 6) for US$5.9 million (6,290,909 CHF) for six months to assist 30,000 families. (IFRC, May 7) 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’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 (IRC) has an emergency team beginning to arrive in Myanmar on May 7 to assess needs and mount relief efforts. The IRC is initially deploying operations, logistics, water and sanitation experts and hopes to bring in medical staff soon for an operation that would provide clean water, sanitation services, shelter materials, other urgent supplies and health care. (IRC, May 7) 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 Secretary General Ingo Radtke said Malteser was able to implement all its projects in Myanmar on its own and voiced concern that the government now wanted to control distribution which would hinder Malteser’s operations. The government is not allowing Malteser, which has worked in Myanmar since 2001, to go to the hard-hit Irrawaddy Delta region or even to the project areas around Yangon where they worked before the cyclone. (MI, May 8) Malteser 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. 20 international staff, all experts in emergency interventions 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)

 

Merlin, a member of Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), had an emergency medical team just arrive in Yangon, which will join the hundreds of local Merlin staff who have been established in Myanmar since 2005. Merlin has permission to use a river cruiser to deliver medical aid to tens of thousands in the Irrawaddy Delta. Merlin teams are on the ground now in Laputta townships, treating trauma patients and doing rapid health needs assessment. (DEC, May 8)

 

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) staff is in place and on standby, awaiting visas and permits that would allow it to enter the country. (MAP, May 7)

 

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)

 

Muslim Hands International (MHI) is launching an urgent appeal for funds and is assessing the situation in order to respond in the most effective and direct manner possible. (MHI, 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) has launched a global emergency appeal for US$9.8 million (£5 million). On Tuesday (May 6) SC provided food, plastic tarpaulins, water purification tablets and rehydration salts to 50,000 people. (SC, May 7) As the largest NGO presence in Myanmar, SC 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 Arab Emirates Red Crescent Authority (UAE RCA) has a humanitarian team that will leave soon for Myanmar to conduct emergency relief operations. Volunteers are loading a cargo plane carrying relief supplies, including food, water, blankets and medicine. UAE RCA will coordinate with the Myanmar Red Cross and will locally purchase further supplies after arriving in Myanmar. (UAE Government, May 8)

 

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)

 

Welthungerhilfe is donating US$773,000 (500,000 Euros). They are initially distributing food for 5,000 survivors of Cyclone Nargis. From the project location in Yangon, Welthungerhilfe aid workers bought produce from local rice mills and immediately began distributing it. The agency’s aid operations are well under way in Htan Tabin, a rural outer district of Yangon, and one of the next deployment areas will be Dawbon, a slum area on the edge of the city with a population of some 70,000 people. In the villages of Htan Tabin and Dawbon the residents are receiving seeds, agricultural equipment and mats woven out of palm leaves to repair their roofs. (Welthungerhilfe, May 8) Around 50,000 people will initially be supplied with food and temporary roofs for their destroyed houses. They began distribution of supplies on May 7. Welthungerhilfe has been working since 2002 in Myanmar. (Welthungerhilfe – German Agro Action, 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) ASEAN Secretariat established an emergency humanitarian relief fund for Myanmar. The first contribution of US$100,000 came from the Nippon Foundation. (ASEAN, May 8) ASEAN on Thursday appealed to the international community to keep sending aid through Thailand. (AP, May 8)

 

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) China said it would give an additional US$4.3 million for relief efforts. (AP, May 8)

 

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) Three humanitarian experts are due to depart to reinforce the Commission’s team in the field. (ECHO, May 8) ECHO held a coordination meeting Thursday (May 7) in Yangon to assess the first evaluations of needs. ECHO’s representative in the Yangon office, Bernard Delpuech, is coordinating the humanitarian response with their partners and evaluating the immediate needs with them. (ECHO, May 7)

 

Germany will give around US$775,000 through German aid organizations to provide shelter, drinking water, utensils and mosquito nets. (Reuters, May 5) Germany on Wednesday doubled its aid to US$2.5 million (1 million Euros) but is channeling funds through German aid groups. (DPA, May 8)

 

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) Ministry of Foreign Affairs is activating the Tabung Bencana Kementarian Luar Negeri to enable the Malaysian public to channel funds to Myanmar. (GoM, May 8)

 

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).

 

United Arab Emirates will build 200 temporary schools in affected areas. (UAE, May 8)

 

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. According to AP, the government and US private sector has committed over US$1.5 billion in aid. (AP, May 8) US aid flights have been held up, according to US Ambassador to Thailand Eric John, despite earlier reports that the junta had given permission. It is unclear at this stage if or when the junta will allow US military relief flights into the country. 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) According to an Air Force spokesperson at the Pentagon, the US military will have available at least 3 C-130s and a C-17 transport plane available at a staging area in Thailand. The Navy has three ships participating in an exercise in the Gulf of Thailand that could help in relief efforts. Helicopters are being sent from the USS Essex to the staging area, according to an anonymous defense official who said he was not authorized to speak on the record. The USS Essex and USS Juneau were expected to move closer to Myanmar, while the USS Harpers Ferry and a destroyer, the USS Mustin, were expected to head towards Myanmar on Friday (May 9). (AP, May 8)