Cyclone Nargis Update

 

June 18, 2008

 

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

 

Current Status

 

Tropical Cyclone Nargis struck southwestern Myanmar (Burma) on May 2. The official death toll is 77,738, with 55,917 reported missing. The UN estimates 2.4 million people were affected, most in the Irrawaddy Delta region. At least 1.3 million people have been reached by aid workers.

 

The UN Flash Appeal stands at US$201 million and is 64.9 percent covered with US$130.8 million committed. According to OCHAÕs Financial Tracking Service, US$241.3 million has been committed to relief operations overall, with a further US$66.4 million pledged.

 

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released a report Wednesday (June 18) saying Myanmar needs US$83 million to help farmers recover. The report was based on a three-week assessment of affected areas that determined 52,000 farming families are facing hunger and poverty if they are not able to plant rice crops for the main November harvest. US$51 million is needed for a two-year rehabilitation plan to rebuild the finishing industry, re-plant destroyed mangrove swamps and replace around 120,000 farm animals. US$32 million is needed for immediate relief, according to the FAO. Although the government is trying to move 6,000 water buffalo from other parts of the country into the delta to complete plowing in the 15 percent of paddy land too deep in water for machinery to function, the FAO is urging foreign governments to immediately donate another 5,000. The FAO also seeks a three-month supply of animal feed for small farmers so they can plant at least 10,000 hectares of rice before the monsoon planting season ends in late July. (AFP, IRIN, June 18)

 

Relief workers returning from the delta say the situation is not as dire as they had expected, the International Herald Tribune (IHT) reported Tuesday (June 17). Although many areas have still not received aid and the potential for disease outbreaks remains high, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and other agencies say there have been few post-cyclone deaths. MSF says because of the deltaÕs poor infrastructure, there was little heavy debris to cause serious injuries to survivors, so most people who made it through the initial storm and tidal wave have been able to sustain themselves on coconuts, rotten rice and fish. (IHT, June 17)

 

As of Tuesday, Village Tract Assessment teams working on the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA) had covered 84 out of 128 assessment areas in Bogalay, Labutta, Pathein, Pyapon, Wakema and Yangon. The teams have reported several villages that had not received assistance so far and the logistics cluster has dispatched helicopters to those areas. (UNJLC, June 17)

 

The UN will launch a 12-month Consolidated Appeal (CAP) soon to be built upon the Flash Appeal and plans of action from the cluster system. The CAP document will include a situation description and strategic response plan compiled by OCHA, as well as project proposals from all clusters. The PONJAÕs preliminary findings will also be included in the CAP. (WHO, June 14)

 

OCHA continues to appeal for sustained delta access for international aid workers. Some are limited to stays of two to three days at a time and only five UN staff have permission to be based in the delta for three months. (OCHA, June 16)

 

The UN's World Health Organization (WHO) said Myanmar's national health system is up and running again, but provided no details. (AFP, June 17)

 

World ReliefÕs partners on the ground are collecting and burying thousands of bodies. (World Relief, June 17)

 

The most detailed maps the UN has of Myanmar are from 1949, so officials are redrawing delta maps using satellite images from Google Earth. (IHT, June 17)

Impact

 

The death toll remains at 77,738 with 55,917 reported missing. At least 20,000 people were injured. The majority of deaths were reportedly caused by the 12-foot (3.5-meter) tidal wave. Fifteen of the 37 affected townships are considered worst-affected.

 

Nargis affected 2.4 million people, including about 680,000 in Yangon and 75 percent of people (1.4 million) in the Irrawaddy Delta region that includes the townships of Bogalay (Bogale), Labutta, Ngaputaw, Dedaye, Pyapon, Kyaiklat and Mawlamyinegyun.

 

MyanmarÕs Foreign Ministry reports US$10.7 billion in losses. About 95 percent of structures in the delta were destroyed. The IFRC reports that at least 1.5 million people remain homeless there. About 2.3 percent of MyanmarÕs annual rice crop was lost. FAO says 700,000 hectares of paddy fields in the delta – about 20 percent – may need rehabilitation. About 280,000 cattle for plowing died.

 

MyanmarÕs Ministry of Education says 4,000 schools were destroyed or damaged, affecting 500,000 children. UNICEF says children account for 40 percent of the hardest-hit population and are the most likely to die in disease outbreaks.

 

Response Coordination

 

MyanmarÕs government is coordinating disaster response with the UN Resident Coordinator and the cluster system. MyanmarÕs Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is in charge of national relief efforts, with the Information Management Unit (MIMU) taking the lead in information management.

 

MyanmarÕs Deputy Foreign Minister is designated officer for relief assistance and the Ministry of Revenue and Finance is the contact point for cargo arrival. A Ministry of Health team is working out of Yangon General Hospital to coordinate health response.

 

The Tripartite Core Group (TCG), which has junta, ASEAN and UN representatives, deals with access and delivery issues. The TCG-commissioned Post-Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA) team includes about 250 representatives from the government, ASEAN, the UN, the private sector and MRCS.

 

Coordination hubs are in Labutta, Bogalay, Pyapon, Mawlamyinegyun and Pathein.

 

OCHA launched a Humanitarian Information Center (HIC) Web site for Myanmar at http://myanmar.humanitarianinfo.org, which has detailed situation reports for each cluster, and an On-Site Operations Coordination Center.

 

 

 

 

                                                                 Sector Status

Logistics

The World Food Program (WFP) is the cluster lead, supported by the UNJLC. The Logistics cluster is 47 percent funded in the Flash Appeal according to the OCHA Financial Tracking Service (FTS). (OCHA, June 18)

 

Yangon Airport is the primary hub. The template for all procedures is at http://www.logcluster.org/mm08a. BangkokÕs former international Don Muang Airport (DMK) is the main staging area for foreign relief with daily flights to Yangon. Air capacity is 190 MT a day and a 20,000 sqm temporary warehouse is available. The cluster is reducing the asset capacity out of DMK to one IL76 and one AN 12.

 

The logistics cluster is operating a 4,000 square meter (sqm) inter-agency warehouse in Yangon, a fleet of 33 trucks with four barges with four barge pushers (total capacity = 2,650 tons), and three boats (total capacity = 1,250 MT). 1 jetty identified in Yangon. Transit time to the delta by barge is between three and six days. WFP says it has a fleet of some 30 boats to help with deliveries in the delta. (IRIN, June 3) Only seven government helicopters are operating in the delta. WFP now has 10 helicopters. (OCHA, June 12)

 

Total cargo dispatched by the cluster to date from May 20 to June 17 is at 3,134.39 MT. A total of 68 flights have left DMK since May 24. There have been a total of 161 rotations to 55 different locations by helicopter. (LC, June 17) UNICEF reports bad weather is hampering relief delivery by helicopter. (UNICEF, June 18)

 

UN agencies and NGOs report difficulties with requests for visas and travel authorizations carried out in accordance with new guidelines for providing assistance that were introduced on June 10, with many line ministries not provided with instructions to expedite requests. More than 200 visas have been issued to UN staff as of June 15. Most of the visas issued have been single entry visas for two weeks. Extensions are currently being approved in approximately 7-10 days. Close to 150 international UN staff have been to the affected areas as of June 15, and at least five international UN staff have now been given permission to be based for up to 3 months in the field. (OCHA, June 18)

 

The Post-Nargis Joint Assessment/PONJA launched on June 9. The assessment involves: a Village Tract Assessment (VTA) and a Damage and Loss Assessment (DaLA), for which field surveys in the 30 affected townships are planned between June 10-19. (OCHA, June 12) As of June 16, 32 VTA teams have covered 84 out of 128 assessment ÔquadrantsÕ in Bogalay, Labutta, Pathein, Pyapon, Wakema and Yangon. (OCHA, June 18)

 

Logistics hubs storage updates:

Mawlanyaingyun: 2,000 tons available in MAPT w/h. LC says hub remains little used.

Labutta: 7 Mobile Storage Units (MSUs) 1,840 sqm. (7 units) (240sqm for UNICEF, 560 for WFP)

Pathein: 800 sqm available.

Pyapon: 2,160 sqm operational (9 units). 240 sqm dedicated to CARE, 240 to MSF-S, 240 to WFP and 240 to WVI.

Bogalay: 1,680 sqm operational (7 units). (240 sqm dedicated to UNICEF, 240 to WFP and 240 to IOM and 240 to ACF.) (LC, June 10)

 

Food

WFP appealed for US$69.5 million to provide a complete food basket to 750,000 people, for a total of 380 MT a day. The cluster is 44 percent funded in the Flash Appeal, according to the FTS. (OCHA, June 18)

 

Post-distribution monitoring and assessment is on-going in Labutta, where one monthÕs distribution of food rations has been completed. 15,224 MT of food assistance has been delivered to affected areas as of June 16, with 6,667 MT of food distributed. Approximately 580,000 beneficiaries have been reached with varying rations of food and another 33,000 with weekly cash assistance. (OCHA, June 18)

 

Frequent population movements are creating challenges with the targeting of food assistance. (OCHA, June 18)

 

Revision of the caseload and targeted population is currently underway. Ready to Use Food for Children (RUFC) is not currently included in the WFP food basket. Food cluster partners are also planning local production of rice-based blended food for young children. (OCHA, June 18)

 

A summary of the ÔPost-Nargis Food Security SurveyÕ conducted by WFP in Yangon is available on the HIC website. (OCHA, June 16)

 

WFP expects a pipeline break by the end of July due to a lack of resources/funding and a shortage of in-country rice for its programs. The Government has agreed to permit importation of rice. (OCHA, June 9)

 

The Cluster estimates the monthly food requirement at 8,933 tons. WFP plans to cover 11 townships in Irrawaddy and eight in Yangon. WFP has two sub-offices in Labutta and Bogalay.

 

WFP emergency food assistance rations are composed of 400g of rice, 100g of pulses, 30g of vegetable oil and 5g of iodized salt per day per person. The monthly food basket for a family of five has 60 kg of rice, 15 kg of pulses, 4.5 kg of oil and .75 kg of iodizes salt.

 

Shelter

UNHCR leads the shelter cluster and is supporting the IFRC, which was designated the in-country cluster lead. UNHCR is asking for US$6 million from the Flash Appeal to help 250,000 people with shelter materials within the next six weeks. The cluster is 47 percent funded in the Flash Appeal, according to the FTS. (OCHA, June 16)

 

In Labutta, camp population has declined from over 40,000 to around 10,000 with 3,000 in the 5 mile camp, 6,000 in the 3 mile camp and less than 1,000 in the football stadium. In Bogalay proper, all camps have been closed. In Myaung Mya, the government has been transferring people out of camps, mostly to Labutta proper. Camp population has gone down to 3,700 from 13,000 in government camps. There are some 800 people in 3 unrecognized camps. In Pathein, all camps have been closed. In Mawlamyinegyun proper and Pyapon proper, all camps have been closed. (UNICEF, June 18)

 

Plastic sheeting and rope remain priority requirements for shelter cluster agencies. (OCHA, June 16)

 

Distribution activities continue with indications that more than 160,000 households have been issued with some form of emergency shelter. (OCHA, June 16)

 

According to the local Yangon Times, Myanmar will build cyclone shelters in 500 villages. The project is estimated to cost US$15 million and will be implemented by the cooperation of the Myanmar EngineersÕ Society (MES) and the Geological Science Society. (Xinhua, June 14)

 

Sub-clusters have been established in Bogalay and Labutta. (OCHA, June 12)

 

The government has established 12 Ôfrontier' sites in Labutta. These are intended as both a transit point for people returning to their villages from camps and as base to which villager's can return for assistance. (UNICEF, June 10)

 

Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) leads the health cluster, which comprises 22 international NGOs and UN agencies. Merlin is cluster co-lead. Cluster projects amount to US$4 million. WHO is calling for US$28 million to fund a six-month action plan to rebuild the health care system. At least 50 percent of health structures were damaged or destroyed. The Health cluster is 77 percent funded in the Flash Appeal. (OCHA, June 9)

 

Cluster sub-groups have been formed on HIV/AIDS, Early Recovery and psychosocial support. The cluster has established three operations centers in Pathein, Labutta and Bogalay.

 

WHO launched the Early Warning Disease Surveillance System known as the Early Warning Reporting System (EWARS). Between June 8-14, 1191 cases of acute respiratory infection, 863 cases of acute diarrhea and 708 cases of trauma/injuries have been reported. Ten cases of measles were reported last week and four more reported this week. (WHO, June 18)

 

WHO says the health system was Òback on its feet,Ó but warned that disease risks remain. (WHO, June 18)

 

The quality and availability of water remains a major health concern. Health cluster standards and guidelines in water quality management are being applied. (OCHA, June 18)

 

The UN plans to launch a massive anti-dengue campaign this week in affected areas. WHO says that more than 1,700 volunteers will work in 22 priority areas in Yangon and the Irrawaddy delta applying larvicide. WHO will work with UNICEF and local aid groups. WHO says so far number of cases is in line with previous years. There were 781 cases of dengue in Yangon as of June 10 and 481 cases reported in the delta through the end of May. (AP, June 16) Cluster along with Myanmar government has drawn up a US$766,000 (494,272 euro) action plan for the next four months targeting 8.5 million people. (AFP, June 18)

 

Measles vaccination campaign has ended. More than 8,000 children up to age 10 have been immunized. (WHO, June 18)

 

Nutrition

The Nutrition cluster is 41 percent funded in the Flash Appeal according to the OCHA Financial Tracking Service (FTS). (OCHA, June 16)

 

About one-third of MyanmarÕs children are malnourished, including 30,000 under five who were acutely malnourished before Nargis. Save the Children says several thousand may die in the next two weeks due to a lack of food.

 

Pre-crisis figures for levels of acute malnutrition and chronic malnutrition are relatively high at around 9 percent and 32 percent respectively (MICS 2003). High numbers of malnourished children have not so far been identified during screenings and rapid nutrition assessments in cyclone-affected areas. (OCHA, June 16)

 

Estimated levels of acute malnutrition using MUAC for children 6-59 months old in worst-affected areas is 6.5% and 3.9% for moderate and severe categories respectively. The numbers of children in the Ôat riskÕ category in Irrawaddy and Yangon (17.4% and 14.7% respectively) are high. MSF reports that up to 27% of under-fives are in the Ôat riskÕ category according to a MUAC survey in Bogalay. (OCHA, June 16)

 

Rapid assessments indicate low food security (ACF May 08 and WFP May 08). WFP identified 36% of households as severely food insecure and 44% as moderately food insecure in the 16 worst-affected townships in Yangon Division. Other assessments have highlighted disrupted/poor infant feeding practices (SCUK May 08). (OCHA, June 16)

 

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

UNICEF leads the cluster and is appealing for US$8.2 million. The cluster is 115 percent funded (according to FTS). (OCHA, June 4)

 

Twenty water treatment units have been deployed in the delta region. A total of 50 units are now in-country. Training for local staff on the use of the units is ongoing. Treatment plants are supplying potable drinking water to nearly 250,000 people (3 liters per person per day). Disinfectant for over 6 million liters of water a day is being distributed daily, covering the needs of approximately 2 million people. (OCHA, June 18)

 

Service provision in the southern delta is still extremely slow due to lack of logistic assets and lack of suitably skilled staff. There is an urgent need to send skilled personnel to the affected area to establish systematic operations. (OCHA, June 18)

 

Rainwater collection is increasingly being introduced and represents main source of freshwater in many areas of the delta. Sea water has also contaminated pond and are being cleaned on a priority basis. (WHO, June 16)

 

The Cluster has finalized a 4-month initial response plan based on an assumption of 1.5 million affected people. The clusterÕs goal is to provide three liters of drinking water and 10 liters of bathing and general purpose water per person per day, availability of soap for everyone, and 1 community trained hygiene promoter per 2,000 people. Within the first 60 days, it hopes to have one toilet per 100 people, with an eventual goal of one per 20. (OCHA, June 4)

 

Agencies have agreed to be WASH cluster focal points for each township. Irrawaddy Division: Bogalay (GAA), Dedaye (CESVI), Kyaiklat (MRCS/IFRC), Labutta (Merlin), Mawlamyinegyun (SC), Pyapon (CDA). Yangon Divison: Dala (AMI), Dagon (WV), Khawmu (UNICEF), Kungyangon (CDA), Seikgyikanaungto (AMI), Kyauktan (CDA), Hlaingtharyar (WV), Twantay (AMI).

 

Agriculture

The Flash Appeal includes US$10 million for agriculture. FAO was granted US$2 million from CERF for restoring food security in affected areas. The government estimates the costs of rehabilitation at US$243 million for agriculture and US$25 million for livestock. Donors have so far offered US$20 million. The cluster is currently 31 percent funded. (OCHA, June 6)

 

The UN says that farmers need a million gallons of diesel fuel to plant rice and ward off future food shortages. Donors have provided farmers with small power tillers to replace the hundreds of thousands of livestock used for plowing, however fuel is expensive and in short supply. Planting season in the delta is from June to July in the delta region. (BBC, June 13)

 

The FAO says 5,000 water buffaloes are urgently needed to help farmers in the delta, and FAO is appealing for help from the international community as well as a three-month supply of feed so farmers can be in a position to plant at least 10,000 hectares of rice at an estimated cost of US$3.56 million. The FAO said that more than 120,000 mature draught animals, as well as 66,000 pigs, 498,000 ducks, almost 7,000 goats and more than a million chickens died from the storm. The lost draught animals would have been used to plow some 120,000 hectares of paddy land. FAO said that 15 percent of the affected paddy lands (122,782 hectares) are Òdeep water rice production systemsÓ and cannot be effectively plowed by mechanized tillers. FAO is also recommending the international community spend US$1.86 million to supply ducks and chickens to some 15,000 female-headed families. (IRIN, June 18)

 

The FAO is asking donors to support a US$32 million short-term emergency package, which includes distributing agricultural inputs such as seeds and fertilizer to around 30,500 of the poorest households in the delta. FAO has also outlined a US$51 million longer-term recovery and rehabilitation plan to help further boost productivity. FAO warns that without outside assistance, some 52,000 households would be unlikely to be able to plant their monsoon crop this year. (FAO, June 18)

 

USDA currently estimates 2008/09 Burma rice production at 9.4 million tons (milled basis), down 0.6 million from last month and 12 percent from last year. Harvested area is estimated at 6.4 million hectares, down 10 percent from last year. In addition, USDA estimates that approximately 1 million tons of rice (milled rice equivalent) from the 2007/08 harvest was lost or destroyed by the storm surge and subsequent flooding. (USDA, June 10)

 

FAO says the cyclone affected 60 percent of the 1.3 million hectares (3.2 million acres) of rice paddy in the five disaster areas, but only 16 percent was seriously damaged. (Reuters, June 4)

 

Nargis destroyed about 2.3 percent of MyanmarÕs annual rice production and threatens to disrupt the main November harvest in the rice-bowl delta if planting is not finished by the end of July.

 

FAO launched a Web site offering data on agriculture in Myanmar.

Link: http://www.fao.org/nr/myanmar/myan-home_en.htm

 

Protection of children and women

UNICEF and Save the Children (SC) lead the protection cluster. The cluster is currently 25 percent funded (according to FTS). (OCHA, June 6)

 

Child-friendly spaces (CFSs) are being established in villages, shelters and temporary settlements on an ongoing basis. In Yangon Division, a total of 58 Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) are functioning, and in Irrawaddy Division a total of 53 CFS have been set up. Family tracing, registration and reunification at temporary settlements, shelters and villages. Mobile health clinics are attending to reproductive health needs in Kungyangon, Bogalay and Shwepyitha, and temporary outreach clinics to provide maternity facilities to assist with safer deliveries are planned. (OCHA, June 18)

 

Child Protection agencies continue to advocate for family-based care within the community. There are large numbers of vulnerable children and families in affected villages, including substantial numbers of female, child and elderly-headed households. Many children, who prior to the cyclone provided farm labor in the villages, may now seek work in larger towns or Yangon due to the destruction of farms in their communities. (OCHA, June 18)

 

School enrolment for a number of children is a challenge due to the destruction of schools and the difficulties families face paying school fees, replacing text books, uniforms, and lost certification. Significant numbers of children unable to access schools present major protection issues. (OCHA, June 18)

 

Agencies have assumed Cluster focal point responsibilities: Labutta (UNICEF); Bogalay & Piyapon (World Vision); Pathein & Malamyinegyung (SC). Child Focus Network is the national NGO focal point.

 

Education

UNICEF leads the education cluster. The education cluster is currently 0 percent funded (according to FTS). (OCHA, June 6)

 

Initial assessments indicate that 4,106 schools were damaged, most of which were primary schools. Of these, 1,255 had totally collapsed. (OCHA, June 16)

 

In Yangon (4 townships) 152 primary schools have been repaired using 14,636 roofing sheets. 46 temporary schools have been set up benefiting 7,248 children and 280 teachers. Essential learning packages have been provided for 37,045 children and 118 Schools-in-a-Box and 74 Recreation Kits have also been distributed. (OCHA, June 18)

 

In Irrawaddy (7 townships) 256 primary school roofs have been repaired using 29,330 roofing sheets and tarpaulin sheets. 98 tents have been provided to Labutta and Bogalay townships to provide Temporary Learning Spaces. Tarpaulins have been provided to 18 schools in Wakema township. 2,200 roofing sheets have been sent to Bogalay. Essential learning packages have been provided for 3,000 children in Labutta, 10,000 children in Bogalay, 10,000 children in Mawlamyinegyun and 10,000 children in Pyapon. 367 Schools-in-a-Box and 317 Recreation Kits have been distributed, benefiting 29,360 children. (OCHA, June 18)

 

An informal school in a camp in Labutta has been established by high school students to teach younger students at primary and middle school level. (OCHA, June 18)

 

Initial assessments indicate 4,106 schools damaged, most of which were primary schools. Of these, 1,255 had totally collapsed. UNICEF and partners plan to cover 2,000 schools targeting 360,000 children with teaching and learning spaces, teaching and learning materials, water and sanitation facilities for 1,000 schools and teacher training for 1,000 schools. 400 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers will be targeted for repairs and ECD kits will target 2,000 children under 5. Ministry of education (MoE) and NGOs will cover 2,000 Non-formal Education (NFE) students aged 10-17 for learning spaces and NFE kits. (OCHA, June 18)

 

Save the Children plans to reach 70,000 children and 2,080 teachers in the 13 worst-affected townships, focusing on 300 schools for teaching and learning materials and teacher training; 200 of these for rehabilitation or creation of Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS); 120 ECD/NFE Centers; and 100 communities for disaster risk reduction training and plans. UNDP is planning to repair or reconstruct 800 schools. If all partners honor their commitments this will still leave a shortage of at least 1,000 schools. (OCHA, June 18)

 

While most schools reopened June 2, UNICEF and the Ministry of Education (MoE) are working to reopen others in worst affected areas by July.

 

Telecommunication

The Emergency Telecommunications cluster is currently reviewing its funding requirements. The Emergency Telecommunications cluster is 73% funded in the Flash Appeal. WFP is the lead.

 

Emergency telecommunications equipment has been held at customs for more than three weeks. Release of the equipment has been approved by the Government, but clearance is pending. Restrictions on official import of telecommunications equipment remain in place. (OCHA, June 12)

 

Installation of an emergency telecommunications centre in Yangon is expected to begin this week. Equipment is required for the humanitarian hubs in the Delta. (OCHA, June 12)

 

MyanmarÕs government bans the import of communications equipment, but has offered to sell CDMA SIM cards and phones at a high price to responders with a limit of 10 per agency.

Early Recovery

UNDP leads the early recovery cluster. The Flash Appeal includes US$4.8 million for Early Recovery. The Early Recovery cluster is completely funded in the Flash Appeal according to the FTS. (OCHA, June 12)

The clusterÕs strategy focuses on organizing monsoon planting assistance for delta farming communities and providing a long-term recovery plan to begin within six weeks.

 

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. The capital city, Naypyidaw, is located about 240 miles (390 km) north of Yangon.

 

Government Response

 

The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement heads national relief efforts, coordinated with the National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee (NDPCC) headed by the prime minister.

 

The junta seeks US$11.7 billion in aid. State media reports that the government has spent more than US$45.5 million (50 billion MMK) on relief operations, has finished the emergency response phase and is now in the reconstruction phase.

 

The Emergency Supply Supervisory Committee is working with UN agencies and INGOs to ensure all relief funds and supplies go to storm victims.

 

National Response

 

International aid workers say one of the key reasons there seem to be few post-cyclone deaths is that Myanmar citizens carried out a substantial relief operation on their own, distributing supplies for UN agencies and NGOs whose staff were not allowed in affected areas for weeks. (IHT, June 17)

 

The Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) has more than 27,000 volunteers distributing the bulk of IFRC supplies. MRCS has reached more than 250,000 beneficiaries, 190,000 of them in Irrawaddy Division. (OCHA, June 11)

 

International Response

 

United Nations

 

More than 200 visas had been issued to UN staff as of June 15. Most are two-week single-entry visas. Some 150 international staff had been to affected areas as of June 15. (OCHA, June 18)

 

The UNDAC mission to Myanmar officially ended May 22.

 

The UN Flash Appeal requests US$201 million to support survivors for at least six months. The appeal is 64.9 percent covered. As of June 18, US$241,305,452 has been committed overall to relief operations, with a further US$66,416,591 pledged. Out of the committed funds, US $130.8 million is for projects outlined in the Flash Appeal. US$24.3 million has been pledged. Clusters must submit appeals and project plans to OCHA by June 26 for the revision of the Flash Appeal.

 

The UN will launch a 12-month Consolidated Appeal (CAP) soon to be built upon the Flash Appeal and plans of action from the cluster system. (WHO, June 14)

 

The UN Development Program (UNDP) leads the early recovery cluster. UNDP and its implementing partner, PACT, have 19 field offices and 500 staff in the delta. UNDPÕs cash-for-work program is under way in parts of the delta.

 

The UN ChildrenÕs Fund (UNICEF) leads three clusters: water/sanitation, education and protection and has launched an initial appeal for US$8.2 million. UNICEF has 130 local workers and 17 foreigners. There are four mobile UNICEF teams in six delta townships and seven teams in 17 Yangon townships.

 

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) supports the IFRC, the in-country lead for the shelter cluster. UNHCR seeks US$6 million from the Flash Appeal to help 250,000 people with temporary shelter. UNHCR has field units in Labutta and Bogalay.

 

The World Food Program (WFP) leads the logistics cluster and says it may be present in the delta for up to a year. It is appealing for US$69.5 million to deliver a food basket to 750,000 people. WFP has field offices in Labutta and Bogalay. Myanmar is allowing 10 WFP helicopters to deliver aid. WFP has 376 staff in Myanmar and says it has 62 aid workers in the Irrawaddy. WFP and partners have so far delivered 14,367 MT of food and distributed 6,667 MT. WFP has reached 580,000 people with food and 33,000 with its cash program. (OCHA, June 13)

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) leads the Health Cluster and is appealing for US$28 million for a six-month action plan to rebuild the health care system. The CERF has allotted US$4 million for the Health Cluster. The WHO is working with UNICEF and local agencies on a massive dengue prevention campaign this week, planning to lay larvicide in 22 priority areas to cut down on mosquitoes. (AP, June 16)

 

The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) leads the agricultural cluster and is allowed to move freely in-country with permission from the Ministry of Livestock. Following a three-week field assessment, the FAO released a report June 18 calling for US$83 million to revitalize the agricultural sector. (AFP, June 18)

 

UN Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC) is working on supply storage and transportation.

 

NGOs / IOs

 

ActionAid plans a three-month relief program to reach 136,500 people in the delta through local NGOs. It has allocated US$1.35 million and has so far spent US$178,000.

 

Action by Churches Together (ACT) has appealed for more than US$5 million to help up to 1.3 million survivors and has so far helped 100,000. (ACT, May 28)

 

Action Contre la Faim/Action Against Hunger (ACF) has flown in more than 40 tons of WASH materials and delivered rice, water purification equipment and technical expertise to Bogalay. ACF has 22 international and over 300 national staff.

 

Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) is committing US$265,000. ADRA is distributing US$130,000 in medical supplies, plus water purification systems, hygiene kits, shelter materials and clothing. (ADRA, June 4)

 

Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) opened a mobile clinic in YangonÕs Kungyangon township in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

 

American Red Cross (ARC) committed US$1.25 million. (ARC, May 11)

 

Australian Aid International plans to set up mobile clinics in the delta, but its personnel are still awaiting visas. (AAI, May 29)

 

Baptist World Aid (BWAid) has a relief team in Myanmar. (BWAid, May 15)

 

The British Red Cross (BRC) has at least 21 workers in-country. (BRC, May 27)

 

CARE has 500 staff and offices in 11 of MyanmarÕs 14 states. CARE provided water, food and emergency supplies to 120,000 people in 12 delta areas. (CARE, May 29)

 

Caritas Internationalis is appealing for US$8.2 million for the next three months. Through local Catholic Church partners, Caritas has delivered supplies to over 70,000 people in Pathein and Yangon. (Caritas, May 29) Caritas has 162 national members.

 

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

 

Concern Worldwide has two emergency response team members in-country and is sending a charter plane with shelter supplies and already dispatched one from Irish Aid. Concern has raised US$541,648 (350,000 euros) for relief efforts. (Concern, June 12)

 

Emergency Assistance Team (EAT-BURMA) is working through local organizations to deliver food, water, cooking equipment, shelter, clothing and health care.

 

European Commission - Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) representative in the Yangon office is coordinating the humanitarian response with partners. (ECHO, May 7)

 

Gates Foundation donated US$3 million, US$1 million each to Save the Children, CARE and World Vision.

 

Global Refugee International hopes to have 50,000 to 70,000 people on the ground for the next three months.

 

HelpAge InternationalÕs mobile medical units have treated 5,000 people in the delta, 40 percent of them elderly. (HelpAge, June 11)

 

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has six foreign and 90 local staff in Myanmar. ICRC is providing shelter, household items, food, water and drugs. Its budget is US$1.9 million (2 million Swiss francs). (ICRC, May 7)

 

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) leads the shelter cluster with UNHCR. Its appeal for US$50.8 million (52.9 million CHF) to assist 100,000 families for three years is 96 percent covered.

 

International Medical Corps (IMC) distributes medicine, hygiene kits and water purification tablets through a local partner and is awaiting visas to enter Myanmar.

 

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) had 200 staff already in the area. Its focus is emergency health interventions for three to six months. Four medical teams are working in Bogalay, where IOM has a sub-office. IOM is appealing for US$8 million.

 

International Rescue Committee (IRC) is donating medicines. (IRC, June 3)

 

Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) is distributing relief and health items. Through IFRC, MRCS will deploy 10 medical, relief and logistics personnel.

 

Malteser International has about 200 staff on the ground in Labutta, NgapudawÕs Middle Island and Yangon. Malteser is trucking relief items into Labutta weekly and is installing latrines in displacement camps and cleaning water ponds. (Malteser, June 13)

 

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF, or Doctors Without Borders) is distributing food, plastic sheeting and water containers in the delta, where it has 201 staff, including 10 international, and 28 medical teams. MSF plans to average 500 consultations a day over the next three months.

 

Medical Assistance Programs International (MAP) is shipping US$560,000 in emergency aid and medical supplies to Myanmar. (MAP, June 11)

 

Medical Emergency Relief International (Merlin) has 500 staff operating mobile clinics in Labutta and bringing health care to the delta by boat. It is co-chairing the WHOÕs US$28 million plan to rebuild the health care system. (Merlin, June 3)

 

Medical Teams International (MTI)Õs senior humanitarian aid expert arrived on May 30 to help the Sri Lankan medical team.

 

Mercy Corps (MC) is most active in Labutta. MC has sent barges to the delta with supplies for a cash-for-work recovery program. MC is working with Merlin to distribute rice seeds and tillers and rehabilitate water sources.

 

MERCY Malaysia trained 180 doctors traveling in the delta. (HAPI, June 10)

 

Muslim Aid is working with partners to provide clean water, medicine and healthcare.

 

Oxfam International gave US$1.2 million and is working through local partner Metta to provide clean water, shelter and supplies to 185,000 survivors. (Oxfam, June 3).

 

Plan launched an appeal and set up a US$1 million fund. Through local partners it is providing health supplies. (Plan, June 2)

 

Project HOPE has offered medical supplies and is working with agencies on the ground to determine priority medical needs, obtain donations and deliver aid.

 

SamaritanÕs Purse has airlifted 45 MT of supplies and a team of disaster response experts into Myanmar. (SP, June 3)

 

Save the Children (SC) and UNICEF lead the Education Cluster. SC is seeking US$28 million and has reached 208,000 people with food, water, shelter and rehydration supplies. SC has 500 staff members in Myanmar. (SC, May 28)

 

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nehayan Foundation, a UAE charity, gave US$1 million to support UNDPÕs early recovery activities in the delta. (UNDP, May 29)

 

Tearfund has provided shelter, food and clean water to 100,000 people through a network of churches. It has committed US$296,000 (£150,000). (Tearfund, June 3)

 

Telecoms Sans Frontieres team arrived in Yangon on June 1 to assess telecommunications infrastructure and needs. (TSF, June 3)

 

Tr—caire launched a US$1.5 million (1 million Euro) program providing food, shelter and health care to 60,000 people through local partners in Pathein and Yangon.

 

Tzu Chi Foundation has volunteers from Thailand, Malaysia and Taiwan in Myanmar. Food, clothes and hygiene items have been distributed to 13,000. (Tzu Chi, May 28)

 

Welthungerhilfe has 150 local employees distributing food and supplies. It has donated US$773,000 (500,000 Euros). (Welthungerhilfe, May 23)

 

World Bank gave a US$850,000 grant to ASEAN for assessment and recovery activities. (ASEAN, June 16)

 

World Relief plans to reach 100,000 survivors with supplies and has been asked to collect and bury dead bodies. (World Relief, June 17)

 

World Vision (WV) has 580 permanent staff in Myanmar and 18 international staff were granted visas. WV helped 250,000 people and distributed rice, oil and other supplies. WV appealed for US$26 million and has received US$19 million. (AP, June 13)

 

 

Foreign Governments

 

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) co-chairs the TCG and is leading a comprehensive joint assessment due in mid-July.

 

Australia provided US$24 million. The Air Force loaned the WFP two helicopters.

 

Bangladesh sent food, clothes, medicine, water purification tablets, oral saline and a five-member military team. A 33-medic team is in Wakema.

 

Belgium provided US$389,408. (UN, May 20)

 

Canada set aside up to US$2 million and sent five helicopters to assist WFP aid delivery. Canada said it would lend a C-17 cargo lifter, to make deliveries for the UN.

 

China has offered US$11 million in aid to Myanmar. (AP, May 25)

 

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

 

European Community has offered US$99.3 million. (AP, May 25)

 

The European Union (EU) will give US$3.1 million (2 million Euros) in fast-track aid. Three humanitarian experts have deployed to support the CommissionÕs team.

 

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

 

France has pledged US$3.1 million (2 million Euros) in aid.

 

Germany pledged US$6.3 million. Five aid workers are in the delta. Three German aid flights have landed in Yangon. (GoG, May 26)

 

Greece has sent two aircraft and pledged about US$300,000. (GoG, May 12)

 

Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China) gave US$6.2 million.

 

India has 47 medics and relief experts in Bogalay and Pyapon.

 

Indonesia pledged US$1 million and has a 30-member health team on the ground.

 

Ireland announced US$1.5 million (950,000 euros) in grants to NGOs.

 

Italy delivered shelter supplies valued at US$240,000 and has given US$191,000 (123,000 Euros) to the IFRC and US$775,000 to the FAO. (GoI, May 29)

 

Japan has pledged US$12.7 million.

 

Laos dispatched 2.5 tons of food and water.

 

Malaysia contributed US$1 million to Myanmar and sent blankets, clothing, food, medicine, tents and water. (GoM, May 16)

 

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

 

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

 

Norway offered US$20 million.

 

The Philippines pledged US$20 million and sent a 30-member medical team with supplies.

 

Russia has provided US$2.1 million in aid and has sent more than 30 tons of supplies.

 

Saudi Arabia delivered 143.2 tons of food and shelter supplies on two flights.

 

Singapore dispatched US$200,000 in relief items. A medical team is in Yangon.

 

South Korea has pledged at least US$2.5 million and a 30-member medical team is in-country. (OCHA, June 6)

 

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

 

Sri Lanka sent 20 tons of relief items and a medical team.

 

Sweden has provided US$582,363 and at least one aid flight. (GoM, May 31).

 

Switzerland released US$475,000 (500,000 CHF).

 

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

 

Thailand donated US$12.3 million in goods and cash and has sent at least 19 relief flights.

 

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

 

Vietnam is providing US$200,000 in emergency aid.

 

United Arab Emirates (UAE) has provided US$1.75 million and flown in supplies.

 

The United Kingdom pledged US$33.3 million (17 million GBP). Department for International Development (DFID) flights have delivered shelter supplies. A DFID emergency response team is in-country.

 

The United States has provided US$37.8 million through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of Defense. More than 151 US military airlifts had delivered US, NGO and UN donations to Yangon as of June 12.