Cyclone Nargis Update

 

May 15, 2008

 

 

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

 

Current Status

 

Tropical Cyclone Nargis struck southwestern Myanmar (Burma) around 16:00 local time on May 2 packing sustained winds of 120 mph (190 kph) and causing widespread damage to buildings, infrastructure and swaths of farmland. Myanmar’s official death toll rose to 43,318 Thursday (May 15), while 27,838 remained missing. (AP, May 15) The UN says the number of dead could range from 60,000 to 102,000 and the Red Cross, based on assessments from 22 organizations, estimated the toll to be between 68,833 and 127,990. (AP, May 15) Yangon (Rangoon), Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) 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 these five regions. Many delta areas have not been reached since the cyclone struck and little aid has reached the region. Water and power have been restored in some areas. The UN estimates between 1.6 and 2.5 million people were severely affected by the storm and only about 270,000 have been reached.

 

A UN Flash Appeal of US$187 million launched May 9 covering the next six months is using 1.5 million people for its initial planning. According to OCHA’s Financial Tracking System, US$43.7 million has been committed to relief operations, with a further US$71.8 million pledged. The UN says that 55,000 MT of rice is needed to feed 750,000 people for three months and only 50 percent can be procured in-country. The WFP’s deputy country director says the agency only has 3,000 MT on hand and warns that Myanmar faces a major food crisis, as the storm destroyed the country’s main rice harvest. (IHT, May 15)

 

Myanmar’s government welcomes aid from any nation, but delivery will be handled by local organizations and people working in international agencies provided it is done in cooperation with the government. More flights carrying relief items are being allowed in the country and the supplies are reaching more affected people, but the arriving aid is still far below what is necessary and the UN is concerned that a logistical bottleneck is developing in Yangon. (UNOCHA, May 15) Some European nations have been calling for the UN principle of “responsibility to protect” which would allow the delivery of aid without Myanmar’s permission. The junta has been slow to grant visas to international relief workers. All five UNDAC team members are now in-country assisting ASEAN’s Emergency Rapid Assessment Team (ERAT). There are now 100 UN international staff in Myanmar and around 40 visas have been granted to UN staff, with 46 being granted for NGO staff. (UNOCHA, May 14). John Holmes, the UN’s top humanitarian official, is being sent to Myanmar to try to persuade the junta to open up to foreign aid. (AFP, May 15)

 

Human Rights Watch has accused the junta of hording foreign aid and distributing low-quality supplies to survivors, but the junta has denied the claims, saying it will take legal action against anyone who hoards or otherwise misuses relief goods (CNN, BBC, May 15)

 

The primary health concerns are trauma, diarrhea and acute respiratory infections. Although some cases of malaria and diarrheal diseases have occurred, no major outbreaks have been reported. Lack of access to clean water has officials concerned that disease incidence may soon increase and the UN’s World Health Organization and other agencies are preparing accordingly.

 

Food, shelter, medical supplies and water are all critical needs, along with the early rehabilitation of the agricultural sector. Damaged infrastructure and communications, as well as flooding, pose challenges for relief efforts. Heavy rains disrupted aid operations in the Irrawaddy Delta on Thursday and the yearly monsoon rains are set to begin soon. The Yangon River, which had been blocked by sunken ships and debris, reopened Thursday and aid agencies hoped to be able to send relief shipments up the river if the government loosens import restrictions.

 

Impact

 

The official death toll rose to 43,318 Thursday with 27,838 missing. The majority of deaths, according to Myanmar's government, were caused by the 12-foot (3.5-meter) tidal wave (storm surge). About 24 million people out of Myanmar's 53-million population live in the five regions that have been declared disaster zones - Yangon city (population 6 million), Irrawaddy Division, Bago (Pegu) Division, Kayin (Karen) state and Mon state. The UN estimates that 1.6 to 2.5 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. A majority of the 40 townships in Yangon and seven townships in Irrawaddy division remain on the government’s list of disaster zones Assessments are completed or under way in 58 townships, including the priority areas of Dedaye, Pyapon, Kyaiklat, Mawlamyinegyun, Wakema and Bogale in the Irrawaddy Delta. (UN, May 15)

 

Several sources report that 95 percent of structures along the delta were destroyed. In the Irrawaddy town of Bogalay, about 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Yangon, an estimated 10,000 people died. The delta’s population is estimated at 6 million and about 1.8 million people live below 16.4 feet (5 meters) in elevation. Around 1,930 sq. miles (5,000 sq. km) of land remain under water. About 9,330 survivors have been evacuated from the worst-hit parts of southwest Irrawaddy Division. The UN says about 550,000 people are in temporary shelters in the delta and many report insufficient supplies of food and water. (AFP, May 15)

 

The storm took down electricity and communication lines while landlines remain down, some cell phones are functioning. Water and power have been restored in some areas.

 

Very little running water is available in Yangon and the worst-hit areas and aid agencies fear the widespread destruction could yield epidemics of food- and water-borne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. Damage to health facilities and loss of health care workers pose another major problem for access to health services. The WHO has received reports of malaria outbreaks in the worst-affected areas.

 

The rice planting season starts in a few weeks and FAO estimates that needs for this season amount to 50,000 tons of rice and 15,000 tons of fertilizer, covering 250,000 hectares. (OCHA, May 14) FAO has estimated short and medium term needs in the agriculture sector at US$243 million. The cyclone hit five states which are predominantly agricultural societies and produce 65 percent of the country’s rice, and have about half of all irrigated areas. Livestock needs are estimated at $20 million. The five affected states produce roughly half of national poultry production and 40 percent of pig production. (FAO, May 14)

 

Myanmar’s Ministry of Education says 3,000 primary schools were destroyed or damaged, affecting 500,000 children.

 

Response Coordination

 

Myanmar’s Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is in charge of national relief efforts, with the Information Management Unit taking the lead in information management activities. Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister U Maung Myint is the designated officer for all relief assistance and the Ministry of Revenue and Finance is the contact point for all cargo arriving in Myanmar.

 

Myanmar’s government is coordinating disaster response with the UN Resident Coordinator and officials from UN agencies that are leading the cluster system established by the UN Disaster Management Team with assistance from an Inter-Agency Standing Committee. The Myanmar Red Cross Society has proven to be a key NGO on the ground with great assistance from international supporters.

 

A coordination center has been established in Labutta where multi-sector meetings are taking place daily, currently lead by the UN Development Program. UNDP and WFP staff are considering an additional operations center in Bogale. (UN, May 15)

 

 

 

 

Background

 

Cyclone season in 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. (Reuters)

 

Myanmar reported Thursday that a controversial constitution was overwhelming approved in a referendum held May 10 in most areas of the country, despite the cyclone’s devastation. The document was been criticized as a ruse to entrench military rule and no international monitors were allowed to observe the polls, causing many to question their legitimacy. (BBC, May 15)

 

 

Government Response

 

Myanmar has appealed to Bangladesh, China, India and Thailand for relief personnel and 160 experts are expected to arrive in Myanmar shortly. (UN, May 14)

 

The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is in charge of national relief efforts. The government has less than 40 helicopters, most small or old, and only around 15 transport planes, primarily small jets unable to carry hundreds of tons of supplies. The Ministry’s Deputy Minister Brig.-Gen. Kyaw Myint said at least five helicopters were airlifting supplies to the disaster-hit regions. Four infantry divisions have been deployed to affected areas. Deputy Foreign Minister U Maung Myint is the designated officer for all relief assistance. The Ministry has agreed to deploy UN national staff to support emergency relief efforts in Pathein, Labutta, Bogale and Yangon. An Emergency Committee headed by the prime minister has been established and has 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.

 

The government is struggling to manage the volume of relief coming through the primary hub at Yangon International Airport. Officials request one day’s notice be given for clearance of airlifts at the airport. The government said it is now open to the UN distributing goods that arrive for its agencies.

 

The government has pledged approximately US$5 million for relief. (OCHA, May 9)

 

Myanmar Health Ministry officials are working with WHO in-country staff to carry out health assessments and distribute health kits and has deployed doctors and nurses to staff hospitals reopening in Bogale and Labutta.

 

 

National Response

 

In order to improve the capacities of national and local NGOs and CBOs, a resource center will be set up by international NGOs in Yangon with the aim of providing information, tools, training and technical assistance. A forum with national and local NGOs is planned for May 14.

 

The Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS), working as an auxiliary to the national response, is one of the key agencies responding to the disaster with large numbers of people on the ground. MRCS has been distributing emergency relief supplies in Yangon and Irrawaddy Divisions through its established logistic system and network of local volunteers. MRCS has five operational assessment teams in Irrawaddy, Yangon and Bago divisions, Mon and Kayin states. MRCS is helping UNICEF distribute supplies.

 

 

International Response

 

United Nations

 

All five members of the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team are now in Myanmar, with the three members who arrived on May 14 having been granted seven-day visas. The team will assist the ASEAN Emergency Rapid Assessment Team (ERAT). The team is working with the UNRC to strengthen coordination and information flow. An On-Site Operations Coordination Center (OSOCC) has been set up and the team is working closely with the Myanmar Information Management Unit.

 

The UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) has been liaising with representatives of the government.

 

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon held an emergency meeting on Myanmar at UN headquarters in New York. Ban addressed rescue and relief operations and the junta’s continued refusal to allow foreign aid workers into affected areas. (Irrawaddy, May 15)

 

Ban may send Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator John Homes to visit Myanmar, along with a WFP plane containing relief supplies. (Irrawaddy, May 15).

 

OCHA says there is now 100 UN international staff in Myanmar and close to 40 visas had been granted for UN staff. Around 46 visas had also been issued for NGOs. (OCHA, May 15)

 

OCHA says two databases are being developed, one for overview of damages from MRCS and UNICEF assessments and another for medium-term disaster count data from each village.

 

The UN Flash Appeal was launched May 9. In the Appeal, humanitarian organizations ask for US$187 million for emergency relief in Myanmar to support survivors for at least six months. Member states announced US$58.4 million in pledges for the Flash Appeal and bilateral aid to the Myanmar government.

 

A United Nations Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) with assistance from an Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) developed a cluster system for the relief effort.

 

UNDP leads the early recovery cluster. It has established a relay system using road transportation of personnel and supplies into Irrawaddy Division. (OCHA, May 9) UNDP and its implementing partner, PACT, have 19 field offices and some 500 experienced national staff and project staff stationed in the Irrawaddy delta area. UNDP continuing to assist UN agencies and INGOs with its field delivery capacity. Together with WFP, it is still delivering rice to affected village communities, with a concerted effort to use UNDP offices in Yangon and the field to aid and coordinate logistics. In Labutta, water and sanitation activities have commenced, in partnership with UNICEF, and an expansion of small relief item deliveries is expected in Labutta and Bogale. UNDP will also deliver UNHCR tarpaulins and other relief items to Ngapudaw this week. (UNDP, May 15)

UNICEF leads three clusters: water/sanitation, education and protection and has launched an appeal for an initial US$8.2 million. The agency has 130 local workers and 17 foreigners. 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. There are currently four mobile UNICEF teams in the six townships of the Irrawaddy delta and another seven teams in 17 townships in the Yangon area. (UNICEF, May 15) UNICEF is supplying hospitals in affected areas and 13 NGOs with medicines and health commodities. UNICEF sent additional essential drugs, ORS, clean delivery kits and essential health kits to seven affected townships in Ayayerwady (Labutta, Bogale, Pyapon, Myaung Mya,Maubin, Wakema, Dedaye) and 12 affected townships in Yangon (Kungyangon, Kawhmu, Dala, Kyimyindine, Kyauktan, Hlaingthayar, Shwepyitar, Kayan, Thongkwa, South Dagon, Dagon Seikkan, Dagon East). On May 14 UNICEF sent a shipment of antibiotics to Bogale. Two new UNICEF teams, each with two medical doctors, have been deployed to Labutta and Bogale to support the MoH and Disaster Management Committee with coordination and response in the

health sector. UNICEF has also sent an immunization specialist to Labutta, where 632 children under 5 years old have been immunized against measles. UNICEF is arranging for a road shipment of 400 drums of chlorine (HTH) from Bangkok. (OCHA. May 15) UNICEF says education focus is on training volunteer teachers and providing as many as 300,000 school kits and setting up schools in temporary locations. (AP, May 15)

 

The UNHCR will support the IFRC, which has been designated as the in-country lead for the Shelter Cluster. Out of the US$187 million Flash Appeal, UNHCR is asking for some US$6 million to help some 250,000 people with temporary shelter materials. UNHCR has so far brought in a total of 79 tons of shelter supplies and other relief items. The shelter cluster plans to reach 200,000 of 300,000 affected households within three weeks.

 

WFP leads the logistics cluster and is seeking US$56 million for food for its Emergency Operation for 630,000 people for three months. The agency has 220 local staff and 15 foreigners. WFP has dispatched a total of 426.1 MT of food assistance. 184.5 MT has been distributed, covering 30,000 people. The Food Cluster has begun to draft a “Cluster Response Plan,” with one part covering Yangon and the other part covering the delta area. WFP has so far reached some 74,000 people with food aid in the affected areas. On Wednesday, in the largest dispatch to date, WFP dispatched 33 tons of high-energy biscuits (HEB) to the affected areas - enough for a daily ration for 82,500 people - and 110 tons of rice - enough to give nearly 16,000 people a two-week ration. WFP has dispatched more than 700 tons of rice, high-energy biscuits and beans since the disaster struck. The amount of food is sufficient to feed close to 100,000 people with a first ration – including 96,000 people who got biscuits. (WFP, May 15)

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) leads the health cluster, which comprises 22 international NGOS and other UN agencies. Sixteen WHO surveillance officers have been deployed to Irrawaddy and Yangon. Personnel include 11 international staff. WHO's South-East Asia Regional Office has released US$350,000 from its regional health emergency fund (SEARHEF). Another US$50,000 has been provided by WHO headquarters in Geneva. Additional funding is being mobilized through the UN Flash Appeal. The CERF has allocated US$4 million for Health Cluster activities. WHO teams returning from Labutta and Bogale have reported that Labutta hospital is functioning. (this includes the hospital’s operating theatre). (OCHA, May 15) Two teams of WHO consultants handed over medical supplies to hospitals in the townships of Labutta and Bogale. (WHO, May 15)

The FAO has offered to lead an agricultural cluster, but is currently assisting food security efforts, carrying out a joint assessment of food needs with the WFP. 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, has been allowed to move freely in affected areas. A team of three FAO international experts and one local staff member will visit Bogale. One additional FAO international emergency expert will join FAO in Myanmar on May 17.

 

UN Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC) is working on logistics issues, including supply storage and transportation. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is distributing reproductive health kits.

 

NGOs / IOs

 

ActionAid is delivering food, water, medical aid and temporary shelters in 276 villages with its local partners – Knowledge and Dedication for the Nation (KDN), Pact Myanmar and Myanmar Egress. (ActionAid, May 11) KDN has set up four relief camps providing food, medical aid and temporary shelters to survivor from 44 delta villages.

 

Action Against Hunger/Action Contre la Faim (ACF) has 21 international and over 300 national staff responding in Myanmar. ACF delivered 25 tons of rice, water purification equipment and technical expertise to Bogolay. (ACF, May 12) Planes carrying relief supplies departed from France May 13 for Yangon. (ACF, May 14)

 

Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) is committing US$265,000 in emergency funds for disaster relief, complemented by an additional US$100,000 from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. (ADRA, May 14) ADRA is providing food assistance and emergency response personnel. In partnership with the WFP, ADRA Myanmar is coordinating the delivery of up to 250 MT of rice to Labutta, which will provide for 20,000 people for 30 days. (ADRA, May 8)

 

AmeriCares Foundation has an emergency relief expert is doing assessments and obtained clearance for an airlift of 15 tons of medical supplies to Yangon. The organization is working with the WHO and mobilizing additional disaster relief experts to the region. (AmeriCares, May 10)

 

Anglican Church of the Province of Myanmar (CPM) has a relief committee that has sent three teams to assist and assess three affected areas. CPM is the local partner of Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD). (ERD, May 8)

 

Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) opened its first mobile clinic in Yangon on May 11 with local medical professionals and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. (AMDA, May 15)

 

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

 

American Red Cross (ARC) has made available US$250,000 in relief supplies and has committed US$1.25 million for the relief effort. (ARC, May 11)

 

Amnesty International (AI) called on the Myanmar government to ease visa restrictions and customs procedures hampering access, and called on Asian governments to pressure Myanmar. (AI, May 13)

 

Austrian Red Cross will send three Austrian and several German drinking-water specialists to Myanmar to remain on the ground for six to eight weeks setting up drinking water facilities. (AFP, May 12)

 

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

 

CARE provided water to 2,000 families (10,000 people) in the two Yangon townships of South Dagon and Thaketa, distributed rice to 3,000 people, assembled 50,000 family kits in Thailand, and assessed and distributed supplies to the Yangon townships of Tha Ke Ta and East Dagon (CARE, May 15) CARE announced a US$1 million grant from the Gates Foundation for relief. (CARE, May 13) CARE has 500 staff members and offices in 11 of 14 states. (CARE, May 7)

 

Caritas Internationalis, through local Catholic Church partners, has delivered food, water, shelter and medical treatment to over 16,000 people in Pathein in the delta, and in Yangon districts. The number of victims receiving support is expected to rise to 40,000. (Caritas, May 13) Caritas has assembled an initial team, coordinating the relief efforts of its162 national members.

 

Christian Aid is distributing water purification tablets, blankets and medicines to 100,000 people. (CA, May 10) CA has committed US$98,000 (50,000 GBP) for local partners to carry out relief work. (CA, May 8)

 

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is making travel arrangements for an International Relief Manager and is awaiting clearance from the Burmese government.

 

Church World Service (CWS) has raised more than US$50,000 and was expected to deploy a team to Myanmar. (CWS, May 7)

 

Concern Worldwide is sending two emergency response team members that secured visas. An emergency assessment is the first priority. The team will link up with their European Alliance 2015 partners, CESVI and Welthungerhilfe, in Myanmar. (Concern, May 14)

 

DanChurchAid (DCA) has local partners accessing the delta. Four trucks carrying rice, noodles, blankets, medicine and plastic sheets have, with the help of local monks who have registered families, just reached six monasteries. (DCA, May 14)

 

Direct Relief International committed US$500,000 in cash to the relief effort and sent an initial airlift of US$200,000 in medical aid. (DRI, May 12)

 

Dubai Cares delivered over 60 tons of relief supplies. (Govt. of UAE, May 13)

 

Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella group of 13 UK charities including Merlin, Save the Children, Red Cross, CARE and World Vision, has reached around 300,000 people with relief supplies. (DEC, May 12) DEC has raised US$11.7 million (6 million GBP). (DEC, May 14)

 

Emergency Assistance Team (EAT-BURMA), a coalition of grassroots organizations based on the Thai-Myanmar border, is working with about 40 people on the ground through networks of local organizations to deliver food, water, cooking equipment, shelter, clothing and health care. (Mae Tao Clinic, May 9)

 

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is providing 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) representative in the Yangon office 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 partners in Southeast Asia to send immediate humanitarian assistance. They are also preparing to send six containers of disaster relief supplies. (GHNI, May 7)

 

Global Refugee International will provide an airplane shipment of WHO-approved medical supplies to 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 working with Canadian healthcare companies, the WHO and aid agency partners on the ground to provide needed medicines and supplies. (HPIC, May 7)

 

HelpAge International is coordinating an emergency response team to assess the situation of the estimated 170,000 older people in Myanmar. (HelpAge, May 7)

 

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has six foreign and 90 local staff in Myanmar and hopes to bring more in. ICRC has delivered aid to various detention facilities. At the request of Myanmar, the ICRC is providing temporary shelter, emergency household items and enough food, drinking water and essential drugs and is supporting efforts to restore water/sanitation systems. It has drawn up an initial budget of US$1.9 million (2 million Swiss francs). (ICRC, May 7)

 

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is leading the shelter cluster with support from UNHCR. There are at least 218 temporary shelters containing a total of 206,000 people from the worst-affected Irrawaddy townships of Labutta, Bogale and Pyapon. There are also 700 temporary shelters in Yangon. By May 16, a total of 17 flights carrying 160 tons of aid are expected to have landed in Yangon. IFRC is considering training locals to manage and distribute aid, due to delays in obtaining visas for foreign staff to enter Myanmar and the difficulty for any foreign staff to move beyond Yangon. (IFRC, May 12) More is known about the situation in Labutta, Ngapudaw, Maungmya and Yangon, but less about south Bogale, Mawlamyinegyun, Dedaye, Kyaiklat, Pyapon and camps in Wakema. The main camps for homeless are in Maubin, Mawlaminegyun, Wakema and Labutta. Inland waterways are reportedly open with boats averaging 300 MT capacity available from Yangon to Labutta. (IFRC, May 14)

 

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 US$8 million through the UN Flash Appeal. (IOM, May 9)

 

International Medical Corps (IMC) deployed an emergency response team in Bangkok. IMC has secured medicines, hygiene kits and water purification tablets and identified a local partner to channel initial efforts in Myanmar. The IMC team is prepared to assist directly once it receives visas to enter Myanmar. (IMC, May 13)

 

International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) will provide cash support to its ecumenical partners toward emergency relief supplies and issue an emergency appeal. (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. The IRC also has medical, water, sanitation, operations and logistics experts 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)

 

Lutheran World Relief (LWR) pledged US$50,000 to support the relief efforts of Action by Churches Together (ACT). (LWR, May 12)

 

MADRE is working with the Women’s Human Rights Defenders Network and three local women’s organizations to reunite families separated by the cyclone, rebuild shelter for women and families, and provide psychological counseling to traumatized children. (MADRE, May 13)

 

Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) is distributing relief and health items. Through the IFRC, the MRC is going to deploy 10 personnel skilled in medical, relief and logistic fields. MRCS has transmitted US$10, 000 to the Myanmar Red Cross Society. (MRCS, May 7)

 

Malteser International landed three Emergency Health Kits in Yangon May 14 to help 30,000 for three months, and expect to deliver them Friday (May 16) to Labutta, where they estimate 100,000 IDPS are living in 58 camps. (MI, May 15) Malteser has two mobile medical teams in Labutta and has installed an emergency health station there and provided medical aid, water, food and plastic sheets. Malteser has also distributed such supplies in the Dawbon, Tantabin and Thongwa districts around Yangon. Malteser is planning the construction of water tanks and providing US$15,490 (10,000 Euros) in assistance and an additional US$78,000 (50,000 Euros) for emergency relief activities. It has received (US$78,000) 50,000 Euros from Caritas as well as funds from the German Federal Foreign Ministry. (MI, May 6)

 

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF, or Doctors Without Borders) has more than 200 staff working in the Irrawaddy delta area, but they are restricted from moving outside of Bogalay town. MSF is distributing supplies and performing water sanitation at some 30 IDP sites in Yangon and is flying in medical supplies, equipment, food and water/sanitation materials to stock its warehouses.

 

Medical Teams International (MTI) is helping local partners purchase medicines and supplies. MTI medical volunteers and staff are on standby, waiting for visas. MTI is working with partner World Concern in Yangon to address health needs and is joining Global Relief Alliance members to provide a long-term response. (MTI, May 11)

 

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) gave US$35,000 to Metta, a Myanmar-based relief and development organization that provided rice, medicine and other items to over 68,000 people gathered in camps in southwestern Myanmar. MCC also gave US$30,000 to Hope International, US$20,000 to Church World Service, and US$15,000 to IDE-Myanmar. (MCC, May 13)

 

Mercy Corps’ (MC) director and three aid workers are in Myanmar. The agency is accepting donations to help partners on the ground deliver aid. (MC, May 15)

 

Medical Emergency Relief International (Merlin) is running one emergency clinic in Labutta’s damaged football stadium and setting up clinics at three other sites in Labutta. (Merlin, May 13)

 

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) staff are still awaiting visas and permits to enter the country. (MAP, May 14)

 

Muslim Aid delivered water purification tablets for 17,171 gallons (65,000 liters), and two water purification systems. (Muslim Aid, May 15) It is working with partners such as Global Medic to provide clean water, medicine and emergency healthcare. Muslim Aid is appealing for US$2 million. US$200,000 has already been allocated for 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. (MHI, May 7)

 

New Zealand Red Cross (NZRC) donated US$100,000 through its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to the IFRC emergency appeal. NZRC has received over US$20,000 in individual Kiwi donations. (NZRC, May 9)

 

Operation USA has deployed staff to assess needs. (Operation USA, May 6)

 

Oxfam International has committed US$1.2 million to an initial response, and has a team of experts and stockpile of supplies on standby. Oxfam is working through local partner Metta, with a crew of 29 staffers and 62 volunteers, and has provided funds to other international aid groups already established within Myanmar. (Oxfam, May 7, 13)

 

Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) has dispatched the first two members of a three-man disaster assessment team to Myanmar, stopping first in Bangkok to get visas and coordinate with the Myanmar Red Cross. (PNRC, May 12)

 

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has committed US$100,000. The response is focused on food and shelter, with up to US$50,000 planned in food aid. PDA is responding in partnership with Action by Churches Together (ACT) International and Church World Service, which have local partners to help in the provision of relief items. (PDA, May 8)

 

Project HOPE has offered medical supplies and is preparing medical personnel for a possible assistance mission. (PH, May 15)

 

Refugees International (RI) urges China, India and ASEAN countries to pressure Myanmar to allow increased international involvement and to insist that visas be granted as quickly as possible to aid workers and that import procedures be waived for humanitarian goods. (RI, May 7)

 

Relief International (RI) is working with teams of local doctors and health personnel establishing mobile clinics and activating local resources to provide relief. RI has established an office in Yangon. (RI, May 11)

 

Save the Children (SC) and UNICEF lead the Education Cluster, aiming to resume schooling on June 1. SC launched a global emergency appeal for US$9.8 million (£5 million). (OCHA, May 8) SC has reached 100,000 people, including 80,000 in four Yangon townships and 20,000 in the Irrawaddy Delta. SC’s 500 staff members in Myanmar have distributed 175 tons of relief supplies throughout the region, including the townships of Shwe Pyi Tar, Thin Gan Gyun, Insein, and North Okkalapa around Yangon and Pathein, Pyin Kayaing, Haing Gyi and Myuang Mya in the Irrawaddy delta. (SC, May 12)

 

Tearfund partner agencies in Myanmar are providing shelters, food and clean water through a network of churches in the region and 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) has been on standby in Bangkok for 12 days, as of May 14, to deploy to Myanmar. (TSF, May 14)

 

Trócaire launched an emergency appeal and offered US$185,353 (120,000 Euros). (Trocaire, May 9)

 

Tzu Chi Foundation has volunteers from Thailand, Malaysia and Taiwan in Myanmar to assess the situation. Relief items including food, blankets, tents, first-aid kits and body bags are on stand-by. (Tzu Chi, May 11)

 

United Arab Emirates Red Crescent Authority (UAE RCA) has a humanitarian team ready and has flown in food, water, blankets and medicine. (Govt. of UAE, May 15)

 

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is working through partners such as Church World Service to provide aid. (UMCOR, May 7)

 

United Way International (UWI) created the Asia Disaster Recovery Fund to support recovery in Myanmar and China. (UWI, May 14)

 

Welthungerhilfe has donated US$773,000 (500,000 Euros) and distributed food and supplies in Yangon and the delta area. (Welthungerhilfe–German Agro Action, May 7-8)

 

World Emergency Relief (WER) has a rescue team providing aid on the Myanmar/Thai border. (WER, May 14) WER launched an emergency appeal and is in contact with local partner agencies in Yangon to assess needs. (WER, May 7)

 

World Relief (WR) is working with Global Relief Alliance partners. Partner agency World Concern has local staff in Myanmar, through which WR channels aid. (WR, May 13)

 

World Vision is starting 37 “child-friendly spaces” to help children cope. (WV, May 14) WV has helped almost 78,000 people in the Yangon area, providing rice and water worth US$175,000 and other relief items like blankets and tarpaulins. (WV, May 9) Their assessment teams have been deployed to five areas in the worst-hit Irrawaddy Delta division, including Bogalay. (WV, May 8) WV appealed for US$3 million in donations and has received a US$1 million grant from the Gates Foundation for relief supplies and reconstruction. More than 500 WV staff were in-country when the cyclone hit.

 

 

Foreign Governments

 

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat established an emergency humanitarian relief fund for Myanmar planning to send aid through Thailand. An ASEAN Emergency Rapid Assessment Team is expected in Myanmar Thursday (May 15) (The Irrawaddy, May 15), in coordination with the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management and the Myanmar government. All ASEAN foreign ministers will attend a May 19 meeting in Singapore to discuss the humanitarian situation in Myanmar. (Yahoo Asia News, May 14)

 

Argentina dispatched water purification tablets. (Virtual OSOCC, May 9)

 

Austria dispatched 600 plastic sheets. (Virtual OSOCC, May 9)

 

Australia provided US$23.6 million (25 million AUD), of which 12.5 million AUD will go to the UN Flash Appeal. (AusAID, GoA, May 11) Donated food staples are being channeled through WFP and water purification and sanitation through UNICEF.

 

Bangladesh is sending a plane load of potatoes, clothes, medicines, water purification tablets, oral saline and a five-member military team. (Reuters, May 9)

 

Belgium provided US$389,408 in humanitarian assistance. (OCHA, May 13)

 

Cambodia provided US$60,000 in relief work. (OCHA, May 13)

 

Canada will airlift 2,000 emergency shelter kits from Canada on May 14, to Myanmar via Bangkok. (CIDA, May 15) Canada has set aside up to US$2 million to respond through UN agencies, the Red Cross and major NGOs. Canada has offered the services of its Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART).

 

China is giving about US$5.3 million (30 million CNY), including US$500,000 in cash assistance and relief items including tents, food and blankets. (Xinhua, May 10)

 

The Czech Republic provided US$154,672 in humanitarian aid. (OCHA, May 13)

 

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

 

Estonia provided US$49,777 in humanitarian assistance. (OCHA, May 13)

 

The European Union (EU) will give US$3.1 million (2 million Euros) in fast-track aid managed by the European Commission's (EC) Humanitarian Aid Department. (EC, May 6) Three humanitarian experts have deployed to support the Commission’s team in the field. EU aid chief Louis Michel arrived in Yangon May 14 and urged Myanmar to open an airbase and release visas for humanitarian workers. (AFP, May 14-15)

 

Finland provided US$467,290 in aid. (OCHA, May 13)

 

France has pledged US$3.1 million (2 million Euros) in aid. (AFP, May 9) The ship Mistral is to arrive Sunday (May 18) with 1,500 tons of supplies. (OCHA, May 14)

 

Germany has pledged US$2.5 million (1 million Euros), channeling funds through German aid groups. (DPA, May 8)

 

Greece has sent two aircraft carrying medicines, food, water purification tablets and tents and pledged about US$300,000. (GoG, May 12)

 

India sent two naval ships and several aircraft loaded with food, tents, clothing, blankets and medicine. Myanmar requested India send its army medical teams. An aircraft will fly to Yangon on Saturday (May 17), carrying a team of doctors and medical supplies. (AFP, May 15)

 

Indonesia pledged US$1 million and food, medicine and other aid. (Reuters, May 15)

 

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’s volunteer umbrella organization, IsraAID, flew in a small team of doctors, nurses and water specialists to Myanmar on May 8 for three weeks. (GOI, May 12)

 

Italy delivered plastic rolls, water storage containers, water purification units, jerry cans, tents, tarpaulins and mosquito nets, valued at US$240,000. (Virtual OSOCC, May 9) Italy has also given US$191,000 (123,000 Euros) to the IFRC. (UN, May 5)

 

Japan has offered up to US$10 million through UNICEF, UNHCR and WFP and provided shelter supplies worth US$570,000. (GoJ, May 9) Japan will provide an additional US$409,500 (43 million JPY) worth of relief items, and will send Senior Vice Foreign Minister Hitoshi Kimura to Myanmar on Saturday. (AFP, May 15)

 

Laos dispatched 2.5 tons of food and water. (Virtual OSOCC, May 9)

 

Malaysia has a Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team on standby.

 

The Netherlands has made available US$1.55 million (1 million Euros). (Govt of Netherlands, May 6)

 

New Zealand gave US$1.1 million (1.5 million NZD) via aid agencies and the UN. (Reuters, May 15)

 

Norway has offered US$9.8 million (50 million NOK). The Norwegian Emergency Preparedness System is ready with relief items to support the UN mission. The Norwegian government is contributing US$100,000 toward Sri Lanka’s relief efforts and funding air transport of Sri Lanka’s donations to Myanmar. (Govt. of Sri Lanka, May 14)

 

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) provided US$500,000 through OCHA in relief supplies and emergency operations. (OCHA, May 13)

 

The Philippines planned to send a 15-member medical team to Myanmar.

 

Poland pledged US$240,385 to support UNICEF’s work. (OCHA, May 13)

 

Qatar is dispatching relief items and medical teams support. (Virtual OSOCC, May 9)

 

Romania granted US$154,560 (100,000 Euros) via the WHO. (Xinhua, May 14)

 

Russia has provided US$2.1 million in aid and has sent more than 30 tons of tents, blankets, medicine and food. (Xinhua, May 11)

 

Singapore’s Civil Defense Force is on standby to offer medical and rescue teams. It has dispatched US$200,000 in relief items, including medical supplies, water, purification tablets, tents, groundsheets, blankets, sleeping bags and food. (Reuters, May 15) The first tranche of a US$72,576 (100,000 SGD) humanitarian assistance package was handed over to Myanmar authorities. (GoS, May 14)

 

South Korea has provided at least US$1.7 million in relief goods, including tents and medicines. (OCHA, May 13)

 

Spain has donated about US$775,000 (500,000 Euros) to the WFP for Myanmar and flown in water, shelter and health supplies. (Reuters, May 7)

 

Sri Lanka is sending 20 tons of relief items and giving US$25,000 to the Myanmar government. It may also send a team of doctors and nurses. (Xinhua, May 6)

 

Sweden has provided US$582,363 in humanitarian assistance. (OCHA, May 13) Swedish Rescue Mission Services is ready to deploy logistics, telecommunications and shelter experts.

 

Switzerland, through its Swiss 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.

 

Taiwan has pledged US$200,000 in emergency relief aid. (OCHA, May 13)

 

Thailand is to send 20 medical teams on Saturday (May 17) to Myanmar. (The Irrawaddy, May 15) Thailand has donated at least 50 tons of medical and shelter supplies, along with at least US$1.6 million in fruit. (Reuters, May 14) The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is donating US$62,200 (2 million THB) for Myanmar relief through the Thai Red Cross. (GoT, May 15) Thailand dispatched 100 satellite phones. (OCHA, May 14)

 

Turkey has provided US$1 million in humanitarian assistance. (OCHA, May 13)

 

Vietnam is providing US$200,000 in emergency aid. The Vietnam Red Cross and Vietnamese enterprises have pledged US$70,000. (GoV, May 12)

 

United Arab Emirates (UAE) has provided US$1.75 million in school materials through Dubai Cares. (OCHA, May 13) A UAE plane arrived in Yangon May 14, carrying 40 tons of medicines, tents, blankets, food and children’s needs and organized by the UAE Red Crescent. (GoUAE, May 15)

 

The United Kingdom pledged up to US$9.85 million (5 million GBP). (DFID, May 6) The Department for International Development (DFID) humanitarian emergency response team is in-country and providing a team leader for UNDAC at OCHA’s request. (DFID, May 11) Navy ship HMS Westminster was ordered to stand by off Myanmar with emergency aid. (The Irrawaddy, May 13) DFID’s first aid flight arrived Wednesday (May 14) in Yangon with shelter equipment for 43,000 people. A second UK flight was due to leave Dubai on May 14 with additional shelter supplies for 35,000 people. A third flight is being loaded in Paris. Another three UK aid flights are planned later this week, to be loaded with boats, plastic sheeting and heavy-lifting equipment to aid unloading at Yangon airport. (DFID, May 14)

 

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided US$17.5 million in humanitarian aid through UN agencies, including US$5.5 million via the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and US$12 million via the Office of Food for Peace (FFP). (USAID, May 15) Eight US military planes have been allowed in Myanmar carrying a total of 197,080 pounds (89,395 kg) of provisions, mostly blankets, mosquito nets, plastic sheets and water. The USS Essex and USS Juneau are in the Gulf of Thailand expected to move closer to Myanmar and the USS Harpers Ferry and a destroyer, the USS Mustin, are also in the area. (AP, May 14) Five more C-130 planes departed for Myanmar on Wednesday (May 14), carrying water jugs and 20,000 hygiene kits. (The Irrawaddy, May 14) The US also has a 10-person Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) on standby in Bangkok, awaiting approval to enter Myanmar. (USAID, May 9) The government and private sector together have committed over US$1.5 billion in aid. (AP, May 8)