Cyclone Nargis Update
May 10, 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-run MRTV today (Saturday, May 10) updated the death toll to 23,335 and lowered the numbers for missing to 37,019. The numbers for those injured stands at 1,403 (AFP, May 10). 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 estimates that between 1.2 and 1.9 million people have been severely affected by the Cyclone. The UN has issued a US$187 million Flash Appeal to address the needs of 1.5 million affected people over the next six months. The UN plans to update the appeal as more information becomes available. Appeal covers 12 areas, with the largest portion of the funding sought for food, water and sanitation, logistics, health and shelter. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking $56 million to provide daily food rations to 630,000 people in severely affected areas or temporary shelters (UN, May 9). . 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 (storm surge) that hit the coastline than by the storm itself. (IHT, May 6) The USÕ 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 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) A majority of the 40 townships in Yangon and seven townships in Irrawaddy division remain on the governmentÕs list of disaster zones. Many areas of the delta have not been reached since the cyclone struck. Water and power have been restored in some areas. (OCHA, May 9)
On Friday (May 9), speaking at the ÒFlash AppealÓ meeting, the permanent representative of Myanmar to the United Nations Ambassador Kyaw Tint Swe said his government was thankful to the international community for their solidarity and generosity. He said to date, two shiploads and 11 aircraft with relief supplies have reached Myanmar adding, "We urgently need medical supplies, food, clothing, electricity generators, and material for emergency shelter, as well as financial assistance," indicating his government's willingness to cooperate with the international community. (IPS News, May 9). Myanmar's government has said that it will welcome international aid, but travel restrictions and customs regulations continue to hinder relief efforts. The UN on May 8 said that only two UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (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). According to WFP spokesperson in Bangkok, Paul Risley, aid workers in Bangkok will have to wait at least four more days to get into Myanmar because the Myanmar embassy took a local holiday on Friday. ÒThis is a four-day wait which just should not happen. This is too long to wait for people whose lives are at such a precarious balance,Ó Risley said. (MSNBC, May 9)
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that he was seeking talks with the juntaÕs senior general, Than Shwe, to urge him to allow aid workers in. (Reuters, May 9)
The UNÕs World Food Program (WFP) said today that MyanmarÕs military regime has impounded two more plane-loads of cyclone aid bringing the chartered plane-loads seized by the government to four. Marcus Prior, a spokesman for the WFP said there has been no change in governmentÕs stance yet. He said, ÒWe will continue to send in flights. Our discussions with the government continue. WeÕre hopeful that it will be positiveÓ. (AFP, May 10) The UN had temporarily suspended deliveries after the first seizure before resuming flights on Friday. A government spokesperson, Ye Htut, said that the government had seized control to distribute it Òwithout delay by its own labor to the affected areas.Ó Aid workers on the ground say that at least seven tons of high-energy biscuits have been distributed in the delta region, but have reached only some 10 percent of those that need help. (BBC, AP, May 9). Relief supplies from the UN began arriving in Myanmar Thursday. The planes had waited to fly out while the UN negotiated with MyanmarÕs 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. 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). International shipments have arrived from Japan, Bangladesh, India, Laos, China, Thailand and Singapore. (AP, May 9) Aid groups say they are trying to procure boats locally, but further transport equipment has not been given clearance to enter the country. (AFP, May 9)
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. MyanmarÕs 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 countryÕs army. The WFP also indicated similar concerns. (AP, May 8)
The White House announced that Myanmar will allow a US C-130 transport plane with US supplies to land on Monday (May 12). (BBC, MSNBC, May 9)
The World Health Organization (WHO) received reports of malaria outbreaks (endemic to the region) and diarrhea in the worst-affected areas, and fears of waterborne diseases were increasing due to poor sanitation and dirty water conditions. Local media has also cited some deaths due to cholera in Bogalay and Laputta. (AP, Irrawaddy, May 8-9) The UNICEF chief in Yangon says that early estimates say at least 20 percent of children in worst-affected areas are suffering from diarrhea. He said water purification tablets are unlikely to help because a lot of the water supply was contaminated by saltwater. WHO is sending in 10,000 mosquito nets. In 2000 WHO ranked MyanmarÕs health system as the second-worst in the world. (AP, May 9)
UN and humanitarian agencies already in the country have begun assessments, but access to many areas remains restricted. UNICEF, IOM and the 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)
Some US$77 million has been pledged so far in foreign aid, including US$10 million from Japan, 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 FTS, May 10)
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)
There have been reports some 2,000 people from MyanmarÕs Myawaddy district into ThailandÕs border district of Mae in Tak every day to procure food and construction material. (RTG, May 10)
In a televised message, MyanmarÕs junta on Friday urged its citizens to vote for an army-drafted constitution in SaturdayÕs (May 10) referendum. The vote in the cyclone-hit south was delayed for two weeks after Nargis hit. The last time the country had an election was in 1990 when opposition leader Aung San Suu KyiÕs National League for Democracy won in a landslide. Some critics accuse the junta of stalling to let aid workers in as they donÕt want any foreigners in the country during the referendum. (MSNBC, May 9)
Heavy rains are expected in parts of Myanmar. Another 4 inches of rain are forecast to fall late next week. (MSNBC, May 9)
Impact
The official death toll remains at 23,335 people, with 37,019 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. Assessments have been conducted by 18 agencies in 55 townships. Based on these assessments, the UN estimates that 1,215,885 to 1,919,485 million people have been affected by the cyclone, the number of deaths could range from 63,290 to 101,682, and 220,000 people are reported to be missing. (OCHA, May 9)
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 deltaÕs 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)
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) Water and power have been restored in some areas. (OCHA, May 9)
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 UNÕs 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 countryÕs 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 $14 average for low-income nations, according to Reuters.
Government Response
State media is reporting that four infantry divisions have been deployed to the affected areas, where seven helicopters, 60 fiberglass boats and 10 ships have been carrying out operations. (OCHA, May 9)
The Government has pledged approximately US$ 5 million for relief. (OCHA, May 9)
Significant progress has been made in clearing roadways and the piped water supply and some electricity has been partially re-established to areas of Yangon city. (OCHA, May 9)
Helicopter relays of bilateral aid arriving at Yangon are being made to Pathein, and two large barges of aid have left Yangon for the most affected areas. Airlifts of international bilateral aid arrived from Thailand, Japan, and China, while India announced that it would send two naval vessels with supplies. (OCHA, May 9)
Myanmar Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brigadier-General Kyaw Myint said at least five helicopters were airlifting supplies to the disaster-hit regions, and plying between the Irrawaddy delta and Yangon. (Xinhua, May 9)
OCHA reports that it has been confirmed that the governmentÕs approval for importation needs to be obtained prior to arrival of cargo. The Ministry of Revenue and Finance is the contact point. (OCHA, May 9)
Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win has said his country will welcome international aid. The government itself has pledged about US$5 million in relief funds so far.
Myanmar Health Ministry officials are working with WHO in-country staff to carry out health assessments and distribute health kits. (UN. May 8)
The Ministry of Social Welfare is expected to meet with the Acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator on Thursday. (DFID, May 8)
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is coordinating the response to the disaster. An Emergency Committee has been established, headed by the prime minister. The committee has declared Yangon, Irrawaddy Division, Bago (Pegu) Division, Kayin (Karen) state and Mon state all disaster zones. The committee has also mobilized military and police units for rescue, rehabilitation and clean-up operations in the Yangon area. MyanmarÕs Information Management Unit (MIMU) has taken the lead in information management activities (UNOCHA, May 6)
Myanmar's Minister of Information, Kyaw Hsan, said Tuesday in a press conference that the government is trying to stem profiteering as prices of food, fuel and building materials soared in Nargis' aftermath.
National Response
The Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS), working as an auxiliary to the national response, has been distributing emergency relief supplies to beneficiaries in Yangon and Ayeyarwady Divisions through its established logistic system and network of local volunteers. MRCS currently has five operational assessment teams in Ayeyarwady, Yangon and Bago Divisions, Mon and Kayin States. (OCHA, May 9)
Myanmar's Red Cross planned to dispatch five assessment teams Monday to Yangon, Irrawaddy, Bago East, Bago West, Mon and Kayin. The agency is distributing 5,000 liters (1,321 gallons) of drinking water to schools and pagodas where people have sought temporary shelter in Yangon.
International Response
United Nations
The Flash Appeal has been launched today at 13:30 in New York by USG John Holmes. In the Appeal, humanitarian organizations ask for US$ 187 million for emergency relief in Myanmar. During the launch, member states announced US$ 58.4 million in pledges for the Flash Appeal and bilateral aid to the Myanmar government. The USG pledged a funding window of US$ 20 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for the Flash Appeal. (OCHA, May 9)
The UN continues to consult closely with the Government about the need for international support, which is available across all key priority areas. Very few visas have been forthcoming in recent days. Two OCHA Disaster Assessment staff entered yesterday. UNHCR has received one visa and WFP has been promised 3 visas to be released on Monday evening. (OCHA, May 9)
The WFP said two flights of food aid, including 38 tons of high-energy biscuits, arrived on Friday but were confiscated. The WFP says that the biscuits were enough to feed 95,000 people. The UN had temporarily suspended deliveries after the seizure and added that negotiations for the release of the supplies would continue.
The UN said that it has released US$10 million from its Central Emergency Relief Fund. (AP, 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 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)
UNDP has established a relay system using road transportation of personnel and supplies into Ayeyarwaddy Division, as communication networks are still seriously compromised. (OCHA, May 9)
UNICEF deployed five teams 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 in contact with the Ministry of Education. (OCHA, May 9) 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, May 8) UNICEF and ACF plan to carry out nutrition surveys in three townships in Irrawaddy division. (OCHA, May 9) UNICEF expressed concern over unaccompanied children and the protection of women and girls in crowded shelters. Members of the protection cluster have agreed to set up Child Friendly Spaces in selected villages. (OCHA, May 9) UNICEF has 134 staff in-country. UNICEF reported that as of May 7, inter-agency assessment teams visited 17 of 47 affected townships in Yangon, Irrawaddy and Bago Divisions in coordination with MRCS. UNICEF said authorities have agreed to an inoculation campaign in the near future. ÒWe want to get safe water and sanitation out, but measles is a deadly disease in a situation like this. We usually try to do injections as quick as possible,Ó said UNICEF spokesperson Shantha Bloeman. (AFP, May 9). UNICEF is ready to support 100,000 children with an essential learning package when school starts on 1 June. Early Childhood Development emergency kits are being distributed for young children in affected areas by UNICEF partners, and Save the Children has started to use these to ensure child-friendly spaces in shelter camps around Yangon. (OCHA, May 9)
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) UNHCR is working with Myanmar officials to get shelter supplies into Myanmar from Thailand and is exploring possibility of sending more shelter materials to Yangon by air from Dubai. (OCHA, May 9). UNHCR is expecting arrival of an airlift including tents, cooking sets and blankets in Yangon tomorrow, Friday May 8 (OCHA, May 9)
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 expect to bring in more relief flights. Two WFP trucks carrying relief supplies such as tents, plastic sheeting etc. crossed Thailand-Burma/Myanmar border today (Saturday, May 10). WFP said if the transfer of relief goods is completed successfully, it may use overland corridors as supply routes. (Irrawaddy, May 10). WFP is undertaking an Immediate Response Emergency Operation of US$500,000 for an estimated 40,000 beneficiaries as an initial response, is expected to be exhausted quite shortly. WFP is planning an Emergency Operation to reach approximately 630,000 beneficiaries with a complete food basket. A total of 90 MT of rice has been dispatched to camps in Yangon, distributed by cooperating partners, and 40 MT to Labutta. WFP currently has a total rice stock of 690mt in Yangon. WFP is expecting to import a total of 45 MT of High Energy Biscuit for emergency distribution in shelter camps. The first airlifted 7 MT have arrived today and have been cleared by WFP for forwarding to warehouse and distribution sites. (OCHA, May 9). 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. (UN, May 8). Myanmar government seized two more WFP aid flights that arrived in the country on Friday. (AFP, May 10). WFPÕs Logistics Response Team (LRT) is in Bangkok awaiting deployment. WFPÕs regional Logistics Officer has joined WFP in-country. (OCHA, May 9).
The WHO has mobilized 10 Interagency Emergency Health Kits, 100 body bags, 35,000 chlorine tablets and five tents. (WHO, May 7) 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 to carry out health assessments and to distribute health kits. (UN, May 8) The World Health Organization (WHO) said it has received reports of malaria outbreaks (endemic to the region) and diarrhea in the worst-affected areas, and fears of waterborne diseases were increasing due to poor sanitation and dirty water conditions. Local media has also cited some deaths due to cholera in Bogalay and Laputta. Teams of national surveillance officers have been deployed in-country to assess the risk of disease outbreaks. A WHO epidemiologist is waiting for a visa to assist. (OCHA, May). WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health for rumour verification, outbreak investigation and rapid response. Unconfirmed reports are being received of diarrhoeal disease outbreaks. (OCHA, May 9). WHO and UNICEF are mobilizing essential drugs. In the meantime, UNICEF's existing stocks of essential drugs (provided in normal situation for regular programme) are being redeployed for distribution by UNDP and MRCS networks. IEC materials have been translated and at least 200,000 will be printed and distributed to address the misconception that dead bodies cause disease, while educating on the need for basic hygiene measures including clean water, sanitation, hand washing. (OCHA, May 9)
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) FAO has obtained clearance from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and is proceeding with the preparation of assessments. OCHA says FAO staff, both local and international, have been allowed to move freely in affected areas. (OCHA, May 9)
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. ActionAidÕs country director is meeting with the UN, ECHO (European Commission Humanitarian Organization) and other NGOs to plan a coordinated response. (AA, May 6)
Action Against Hunger/Action Contre la Faim (ACF) is assessing the immediate needs in the Yangon area and is planning an emergency operation to distribute water purifying tablets and water, rehabilitate water points, distribute essential non-food items and emergency shelters, promote basic hygiene, perform environmental clearing and clean up, and provide food, cash and/or vouches depending on local market accessibility. In February, an ACF survey found that 68 percent of people in the Irrawady delta region drank water from swamps, streams and unprotected water points. The survey also found that 80 percent of water points were already inadequate for water quality and not built to resist disasters like cyclones. The risk of water-borne diseases is great. (ACF, May 8)
Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) is continuing its response in Myanmar (Burma) with food assistance and emergency response personnel. In partnership with the World Food Program (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) Immediate aid is expected to include water, water purification tablets, food distribution, and shelter materials. (ADRA, May 7)
Anglican Church of the Province of Myanmar (CPM) has established a relief committee that has sent three teams to assist and assess three affected areas. The teams area expected back in Yangon by May 16 to report. CPM is the local partner of Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD). (ERD, 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 agencyÕs Myanmar office and its local staff, and has already given instruction to get approval from the government. Early Thursday morning (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 ten years. (AMDA, May 8)
Air Serv International, Air Serv 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 Myanmar government 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 emergency assessment teams have returned to Yangon from the Irrawaddy Delta with reports of massive destruction on a level far worse than seen in Yangon, including whole towns and villages completely wiped out. CARE had previously stated it was assessing Pathien, where 250,000 survivors were expected to need urgent relief. CARE is purchasing supplies in Yangon to ensure the distribution of food and water to the Irrawaddy Delta happens immediately. (Care, May 10) CARE has packaged 13,779 lb (6,250 kg) of rice and first aid kits for distribution in Thaketa township. Survival kits for 50,000 people are being assembled in Thailand and expected to be delivered next week. (CARE, May 9) CARE delivered 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 has assembled an initial team drawing on staff from across the memberships with a strong representation from the local region. Caritas is coordinating the relief efforts of its162 national members and working in support of the Catholic Church in Myanmar. (CI, May 8)
Christian Aid is distributing water purification tablets, blankets and medicines to 100,000 people. Supplies are being sourced from within Myanmar, but this will become more difficult over time. Christian Aid partners urgently need more supplies of water purification tablets, medicines including salt solutions, mosquito nets, blankets, clothing and materials to rebuild homes. They report that people are asking for rice seeds, as their supplies have been damaged and unless they plant in the next month will not have any rice supplies until May 2009. (CA, May 10) CA 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 Myanmar delta region. A Burmese government assessment mission involving UN representatives was also scheduled for May 7. CRWRC is awaiting clearance from the Burmese government to bring immediate, emergency assistance into areas of Burma destroyed by Cyclone Nargis last weekend. While there are about 40 international NGOs working within Burma, CRWRC staff in the area report that there are few local high- to medium-capacity civic organizations or NGOs in the country. (CRWRC, May 7)
Church World Service (CWS) acting Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator Marvin Parvez, will arrive in Yangon on Friday (May 9). Other CWS team members were scheduled to arrive at the agency's Bangkok offices May 7, and as soon as their visas are cleared will follow Parvez. On May 9, the CWS regional office in Bangkok will host a coordination meeting of members of the international Action By Churches Together (ACT) Alliance who are intending to work in Myanmar. CWS surpassed its first fundraising appeal of Monday (May 5) for $50,000 in less than a day, and the appeal is now expanded to address the enormous scope of immediate aid needed. (CWS, May 7)
Concern Worldwide is trying to secure visas for two Emergency Response Team members to enter Myanmar and support their European Alliance 2015 partners, CESVI and Welthungerhilfe. (Concern, May 9) Staff members from operations in Bangladesh and India are on stand-by. Concern launched an emergency appeal and will channel funds through partners on the ground (Concern, May 7)
Direct Relief International postponed its initial shipment of aid on May 8 due to the widely reported reluctance of the Myanmar government to accept outside aid. An emergency conference call with fellow members of the Partnership for Quality Medical Donation confirmed all aid groups, as well as governments, are encountering the same obstacles. With direct aid thus impeded, DRI approved an immediate investment of US$25,000 to a long-time, established partner clinic that operates on the Thai side of the border and is scaling up relief operations to the maximum extent possible. DRIÕs Asia program officer will coordinate efforts from Thailand starting May 10. (DRI, May 8)
Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) member agenciesÕ 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 (Burma) Cyclone Appeal on Thursday (May8). (DEC, May 8)
Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is providing emergency assistance through its partner, the Anglican Church of the Province of Myanmar (CPM). ERD is sending funds to secure shelter, food water and other relief needs for people displaced. (ERD, May 6)
European Commission - Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) held a coordination meeting Thursday (May 7) in Yangon to assess the first evaluations of needs. ECHOÕs 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)
Gates Foundation, founded by Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, will donate US$3 million, to be channeled through independent aid groups such as CARE and World Vision. (AFP, May 9)
Global Hope Network International (GHNI) is working with their partners in Southeast Asia to help send immediate humanitarian assistance. They are also preparing to send 6 containers of disaster relief supplies. (GHNI, May 7)
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.
Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC) is preparing to send essential medicines. HPIC is working closely with Canadian healthcare companies, the WHO and aid agency partners on the ground to provide needed medicines and supplies to the people who need it most. (HPIC, May 7)
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)
Human Rights Watch (HRW) calls on the Myanmar government to postpone to constitutional referendum scheduled for Saturday (May 10) to focus on cyclone relief and save lives. (HRW, May 9)
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has sent its first flight to Myanmar of relief goods Òfor those in labor camps and prisons.Ó The plane left Geneva on Friday (May 9) evening with 35 metric tons (39 US tons) of relief goods, including pumps, generators, water tanks and other water treatment equipment, as well as basic health care for about 10,000 people and surgery material. The ICRC visits political prisoners and prisoners of war worldwide, but stopped visitng MyanmarÕs estimated 1,100 political prisoners in December 2005 after the government insisted that government-affiliated staff accompany them. The ICRC planned to distribute aid with the Myanmar Red Cross and will explore how to help reunite families separated by the storm and help identify the dead. The ICRC has six foreign and 90 local staff in Myanmar and hopes to bring more in. (AP, May 10) 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. 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. (ICRC, May 7)
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) had three planes arrive May 8 and 9 with 14 metric tons of shelter material. All goods were cleared at customs and then distributed by Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS). All stocks in Red Cross warehouses have been distributed, including hygiene items, food, water purification tablets and mosquito nets. A further seven flights are expected to arrive May 10-12, containing 20 metric tons of shelter materials, jerry cans and 2,000 mosquito nets. It is estimated the overall humanitarian effort thus far has supported 220,000 people, of whom 80,000 have been helped by the Red Cross with shelter kits, shovels, saws, tarpaulins and jerry cans. The IFRC is emphasizing the need for massive amounts of aid in ongoing, high-level discussions with MRCS and the government, a level of access which has been derived from the IFRCÕs established realationship with the authorities since the delegation was opened in 1993. International staff are still unable to travel beyond Yangon city limits, but an agreement was secured for the IFRC head of country office to travel on Sunday (May 11) with the MRCS president and two national society disaster specialists to Labutta, Bogalay (Bogale, Bogaley), and Pyapon townships in the Irrawaddy Delta. (IFRC, May 10) Some 17,000 local Myanmar Red Cross volunteers are helping to distribute supplies. (DPA, IFRC, May 8) The first IFRC personnel, a regional disaster management coordinator, arrived on May 6, and additional personnel were due to land in Myanmar on May 9. (IFRC, May 9) 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 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 Society (MRCS) in their efforts to address the needs of the affected people. The MRCS 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) assembled a team of Asian emergency relief specialists, including logistics, shelter and health experts, to strengthen the capacity of 200 IOM staff already in Myanmar and in the IOM regional office in Thailand. IOM is appealing for an initial US$8 million in donations to fund relief. (IOM, May 9)
International Medical Corps (IMC) is deploying 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 had identified local partners through which it will initially channel its assistance. IMC is also working to identify logistical supply lines to affected areas as many roads are impassable. (IMC, May 8)
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) emergency team members have arrived in Myanmar and four additional teams are on standby for deployment to the region as the IRC prepares for a possible outbreak of water-borne diseases in cyclone-hit villages. In addition to aid workers on the ground, the IRC also has medical, water, sanitation, operations and logistics experts already in the region or ready to be dispatched to Myanmar. The IRC has emergency stocks in Dubai ready for shipment and is procuring cholera kits, emergency health kits and water treatment supplies to position in Thailand. (IRC, May 9) The IRC team was scheduled to begin assembling in Yangon Tuesday (May 6). (IRC, May 6)
Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS): Based on needs assessment done by the IFRC Field Assessment Coordination Team (FACT), relief and health items will be provided through 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 will send a medical team to the coastal town of Labutta on Sunday (May 11) to start the operation of a health center in one of the houses there that endured the storm, as Òthe hospital of Labutta has been almost completely destroyed.Ó Staff on May 9 distributed water purification tablets to 8,000 households in Dawbon, Tantabin and Thongwa districts around Yangon, enabling families to have safe drinking water for one week. Also, 850 plastic sheets for shelter and 750 Òfamily kitsÓ with cookware, hygiene articles and water cans are being distributed. (Malteser, May 9) 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. Malteser is providing US$15,490 (10,000 Euros) in assistance and an additional (US$78,000) 50,000 Euros for emergency relief activities. Malteser has received (US$78,000) 50,000 Euros from Caritas International and financial support from the German Federal Foreign Ministry for relief work. Malteser has worked in Myanmar since 2001. (MI, May 6)
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) currently has 35 staff in the Irrawaddy Delta with another 40 on the way. MSF teams in Twantey and Daala, townships south of Yangon, observed 80 percent housing destruction in some areas and up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) of flood waters. MSF teams distributed food rations to 2,000 people in Twantey. MSF also did medical consultations in areas homeless are sheltering, such as pagodas and schools, and rehabilitated latrines, wells and water pumps. Other MSP teams are assessing locations further south in the delta by boat, including hard-hit Bogalay (Bogaley). In every affected location, MSF distributes food and provides medical care. A relief flight is scheduled to depart from Bordeaux, France, on May 9 carrying 40 tons of medical material, plastic sheeting, therapeutic food, and water and sanitation material. Four further shipments, totaling 160 tons of supplies, are ready to be dispatched from Europe, Dubai and Jakarta, and area expected to leave in a few days pending Myanmar authorization. (MSF, May 9) MSF teams 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. 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 (MC) European Headquarters Executive Director Mervyn Lee should arrive in Myanmar by Monday (May 12), after securing a visa from MyanmarÕs embassy in London. MC is applying for additional visas for emergency response team members. (MC, May 9) MC is working with partners on the ground to determine the most helpful response. MC is not registered to work in Myanmar, but has worked with organizations on the ground there in the past year. (MC, May 7) MC is accepting donations to help partners on the ground 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 communicating with partners, such as Christian Aid and Oxfam, about how best to deliver aid. (Muslim Aid, May 9) They will be working with their partners Global Medic providing clean water, medicine and emergency healthcare. 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. (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)
New Zealand Red Cross (NZRC) donated US$100,000 through its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund, and will be sent directly to the IFRC emergency appeal. NZRC has received over US$20,000 in individual Kiwi donations. (NZRC, May 9)
Operation USA announced today that it has deployed staff already stationed in Asia to assess the needs. (OpUSA, May 6)
Oxfam International is committed to helping NGOs meet immediate needs in Myanmar through a mixture of funding, technical expertise and equipment. (Oxfam, May 10) Oxfam has committed US$800,000. Oxfam currently does not run operational programs in the country, but is responding to the crisis through a handful of partner organizations. Oxfam is also providing funds to other international aid groups already established within Myanmar and is exploring other options for offering assistance including assigning staff members to work with UN agencies. (Oxfam, May 7)
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has committed $100,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing and designated funds to support humanitarian relief. The response is focused on food first, from $40,000 to $50,000 in food aid, then shelter. PDA is responding in Myanmar as a member of and in partnership with Action by Churches Together (ACT) International and Church World Service. Both entities have local partners in Myanmar and will have representatives to help in the provision of relief items to cyclone survivors. (PDA, May 8)
Project HOPE is moving to gather medical supplies. (PH, May 7)
Refugees International (RI) urges the governments of China, India, and ASEAN countries to facilitate Myanmar acquiescence to increased international involvement and to also insist that visas be granted as quickly as possible to international aid workers and that import procedures be waived for humanitarian goods entering the country. Because of its experience with the tsunami response, RI urges Indonesia to play a constructive role by emphasizing the importance of strong collaboration between central government, local governments, UN agencies, and local and international NGOs. (RI, May 7)
Save the Children (SC) retuned to affected peri-urban townships in yangon for a fourth day, covering an additional 25,000 new beneficiaries and bringing total coverage to 63,000 people across the four townships of Shwe Pyi Tar, Thin Gan Gyun, Insein, and North Okkalapa. Trucks containing 1,000 bags of rice (30 tons), 20 rolls of tarpaulin, surgar and salt reached Pathein, SCÕs operations base for response in the western Irrawaddy Delta region). SC is negotiating with authorities to distribute in Haing Gyi (pre-emergency population of 92,707) and Nga pu Taw (pre-emergency population of 335,936, with reports of collapsed hospital), and expects to send boats with relief supplies by the morning of May 9. Authorities will provide a security escort as there are reports of fighting over arriving supplies. SC is helping repair a Yangon center for HIV positive girls and young women to provide them with basic necessities. SC is working with CARE in Bangkok to ready a plan with family kits for 100,000 people, and with SC US to bring in a plane with health and household kits from Sumatra. (OCHA, May 8) SC launched a global emergency appeal for US$9.8 million (£5 million). SC on May 6 provided food, plastic tarpaulins, water purification tablets and rehydration salts to 50,000 people. (SC, May 7) From May 5-7, SC 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. (SC, May 7) SC, the largest NGO presence in Myanmar, and the UN ChildrenÕs Fund (UNICEF) are leading on education, aiming to resume schooling on June 1. (OCHA, May 8)
Tearfund partner agencies inside Myanmar are responding to the thousands of people that were affected. PartnerÕs 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$296,000 (£150,000) to emergency relief. (Tearfund, May 6)
Telecoms Sans Frontieres (TSF) team is on stand-by and ready to deploy to Burma. TSF and its regional office in Bangkok are closely monitoring the situation, ready to deploy as soon as the government requests for International support. (TSF, May 7)
Tr—caire today (May 6) launched an emergency appeal. Tr—caire has been working in Myanmar since 1995 and spent US$ 2.5 million (Û1,585,222) 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 humananitarian 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 agencyÕs 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 devastated 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 Wednesday (May 7), according to Angela Schwarz, the Regional Coordinator of Welthungerhilfe in Myanmar. 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 announced a US$1 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to fund the purchase and distribution of food and water, as well as shelter, hygiene and cooking materials. It will also help with longer-term rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, and will focus on the most vulnerable groups affected by the cyclone. (WV, May 10) World Vision has helped almost 78,000 people in the Yangon area, providing rice and water worth US$175,000 and other relief items. (WV, May 9) World Vision has delivered 35 metric tons of rice, 20,000 liters of drinking water and diesel fuel to allow generators to pump water. Clothing, blankets and tarpaulins have also been distributed to people living in and around Yangon. Their assessment teams have been deployed to five areas in the worst-hit Irrawaddy Delta division, including Bogalay. (WV, May 8) World Vision 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. World Vision has operated in Myanmar for some 40 years and more than 500 World Vision staff were in-country when the cyclone hit.
Foreign Governments
OCHA said that 47 teams specializing in search and rescue, medical teams, information management support teams, and others from 21 different countries are on stand-by in different parts of the world. (OCHA, May 9)
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 said it will increase aid to Myanmar. (Xinhua, May 10) Australia has given an initial US$2.8 million (3 million AUD), with one-third of the funds going to aid agencies for shelter, water purification and food. (Reuters, May 7)
Bangladesh is sending a plane load of potatoes, clothes, medicines, water purification tablets, oral saline and a five-member military team. (Reuters, May 9)
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) Canada has offered the services of its Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART). (GoC, May 9)
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) China said a plane carrying 60 tons (US$500,000) in relief aid arrived in Yangon May 9 carrying the second batch of aid from China. (Xinhua, May 9). ChinaÕs southwestern Guangxi province, where the Sino-ASEAN Expo is held annually, has donated US$250,000 via the Chinese embassy in Myanmar. ChinaÕs central government has so far donated a total of US$5.3 million in aid and cash to Myanmar. (Xinhua, May 10)
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) France said it has sent a Navy ship with 1,500 tons of supplies that should arrive next Thursday (May 15). (AFP, May 9) France will not send direct aid to MyanmarÕs ruling junta but will deliver aid to cyclone victims independently, sending the warship Mistral with supplies. (DPA, May 10) France recently increased its emergency aid to Myanmar to US$3.1 million (2 million EUR). (DPA, May 10)
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 CommissionÕs team in the field. (ECHO, May 8) ECHO held a coordination meeting Thursday (May 7) in Yangon to assess the first evaluations of needs. ECHOÕs 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 sent two naval ships loaded with food, tents, clothing, blankets and medicine. The ships arrived Wednesday (May 7). An aircraft with relief supplies reached Yangon on Thursday and another is expected on Saturday (May 10). Two plane loads arrived in Yangon earlier this week. (TOI, May 9)
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)
Japan has decided to extend emergency assistance up to US$10 million through UNICEF, UNHCR and WFP. Japan has also provided relief supplies worth some US$570,000. (GoJ, May 9)
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 US$1.1 million for distribution via aid agencies/UN. (Reuters, May 9)
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). Thailand has prepared 2,000 aid sets, containing 10 tons of food and bedding, to help cyclone victims. The US$34,840 (1.08 million THB) worth of aid was donated by the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation, Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorm donated 20 tons of food, relief supplies, electric generators and water purifiers. (Xinhua, May 10) Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will dispatch a special envoy to Myanmar on Saturday (May 10) to appeal to the junta leaders to permit foreign relief teams, especially from the US and UK. (The Nation, May 10)
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 an initial 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. US$1 million will go through the American Red Cross and USAID/DART will allocate US$2 million to other partners. Funds are in addition to an initial US$250,000 to UN agencies. (USAID, May 9) According to AP, the government and US private sector has committed over US$1.5 billion in aid. (AP, May 8) The US also has a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) on standby. The 10-person DART is in Bangkok awaiting approval to enter the country. (USAID, May 9) The US Treasury is expediting approvals for aid groups to provide money and services although MyanmarÕs 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) The White House announced that Myanmar will allow a US C-130 transport plane with US supplies to land on Monday (May 12). (BBC, MSNBC, May 9)