Myanmar: Increased response to needs of cyclone survivors urgently required

(Bangkok/New York, 13 May 2008): While relief supplies are starting to reach the cyclone-devastated areas in Yangon and the Ayeyarwady Delta in Myanmar, 1.5 to 2 million affected people are critically in need of clean water, food rations, emergency medical care and shelter, among other things. However, the levels of aid getting in to the country remain far below what is required to meet the needs on the ground.

Despite the challenges, some limited progress is being made. Planeloads of relief supplies have been landing in the country, and the Government, Myanmar Red Cross and other humanitarian partners are reaching an increasing number of people in need.

Both Yangon and Pathein ports have been reopened, allowing access to inland waterways. Labutta has been established as a transportation hub, with two large storage units operational, and a further two expected to be set up in the next few days by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and its logistics partners. Damaged infrastructure and communications, as well as flooding, pose serious logistical challenges for relief efforts.

WFP has provided food to over 70,000 people in cooperation with partners in the affected areas in Yangon and the Delta. UNICEF and Action Contre la Faim (ACF) have completed nutrition assessments.

WHO reports that many NGOs have received medical supplies, while the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has received and distributed inter-agency emergency health kits and diarrhoeal disease kits. With a further four due to be sent to other locations, WHO considers enough immediate medical supplies are available in the worst-hit townships in Ayeyarwady Division. Pressing concerns for health-oriented agencies include treatment of trauma, diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections. WHO will work with the Ministry of Health to establish a revolving stock of drugs to ensure availability of essential medicines and supplies.

Availability of clean water is a serious problem in southern villages where ponds have been contaminated by saltwater. Priorities for agencies working to provide clean water and sanitation facilities include distribution of water purification measures such as tablets and bleaching powder, as well as water containers for transport and storage, and materials to help families collect rainwater. Sanitation facilities, including waste management, are almost non-existent in the makeshift settlements where cyclone survivors are living.

UNICEF, World Vision, CARE, ACF, Malteser International and other partners have been distributing supplies of oral rehydration salts, water purification tablets, tanks and buckets, and have constructed latrines, while the International Rescue Committee is preparing to distribute water purification supplies and equipment donated by Muslim Aid, to provide safe water supplies for 50,000 people.

UNHCR trucks carrying tents and 4,600 plastic sheets arrived yesterday by road from Thailand. In addition, 25,000 tarpaulins have already been distributed to 50,000 people and more are in the pipeline.

While relief supplies that have reached the country will alleviate the suffering of some of those affected, humanitarian aid needs to be delivered into the country faster and humanitarian workers need to be allowed in sufficient numbers to ensure quicker and efficient distribution to all those in need.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679; John Nyaga, OCHA-NY, + 1 917 367 9262; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570. OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int.