CERF allocates $2.4 million for flood-affected populations in Myanmar

19 July 2010: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will receive $750,000 for the post-flood restoration of food security and livelihoods for 54,000 affected people in Myanmar's Northern Rakhine State (NRS). Some $600,000 will go to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support the livelihoods of 30,000 vulnerable people, improve shelter and living conditions for 24,600 people, and provide safe water for 48,300 people. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) will receive $414,000 to rehabilitate schools benefiting 3,600 children and will provide a water and sanitation (WASH) programme for 100,000 people. Some $400,000 has been allocated to the World Food Programme (WFP) to improve the food security, nutrition status and livelihoods of 19,800 people. Finally, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will use $275,000 to provide emergency non-food items and shelter materials to more than 22,000 people.

In June 2010 Northern Rakhine State (NRS) experienced severe floods and landslides due to continuous heavy rains, killing 68 people and causing severe damage to infrastructure and livelihoods in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships. Approximately 29,000 families were affected by the floods, of which approximately 20,000 families temporarily sought refuge in the nearby mountains, in public buildings or with host families. While most of the displaced have now returned home, some families are still living with relatives in the area, as their houses were completely destroyed by the floods. Some 900 houses are estimated to have been destroyed. In addition, roads, bridges and culverts in Maungdaw and Buthidaung were severely damaged, further limiting access to the affected population.

Northern Rakhine State (NRS) is situated in the western-most part of Myanmar along the border with Bangladesh. NRS has a total population of approximately 996,000 and covers a large geographical area characterized by limited accessibility. Generally, NRS ranks below the national average on most demographic and socio-economic indicators. The current emergency response aside, there are continuing needs for assistance in education, water and sanitation (WASH) and health care. Food insecurity is also widespread, with 85 percent of household expenditure on average devoted to food. Limitations imposed by the Government of Myanmar have limited the number of humanitarian organizations operating in NRS.