Statement on Floods in Myanmar [EN/MY]

(Yangon, 12 August 2015) Today I returned from Kale Township in Sagaing Region, where I visited communities affected by the floods and observed ongoing relief efforts. I was joined by government officials, several ambassadors, NGOs and UN colleagues.

I was deeply moved by the stories of local people whose lives have been shattered and by the scenes of devastation that I witnessed. The waters are now receding, leaving behind entire communities buried under mud and debris. Crops have been destroyed, homes have collapsed, livestock have been killed, and precious belongings have been swept away.

The people of Myanmar are among the most generous in the world and I am humbled by the incredible, spontaneous public outpouring of solidarity and assistance to flood-affected communities. The masses of volunteers, staff of local organizations, authorities, private sector, NGOs, celebrities and ordinary people, in their caring and generosity, dedication and courage are showing the true spirit of Myanmar.

I offer my sincere condolences to the family of Kyaw Kyaw Lin, a Myanmar Red Cross Society volunteer, who tragically died while helping members of his local community to escape the floods. The response to the floods has been ably led by the Government who have managed the evacuations and initial response, and enabled so many other friends and well-wishers to fully respond.

I would also like to thank the international community, particularly countries in the region and traditional donor countries, who have been quick to fund immediate life-saving assistance and who have pledged to provide support to the recovery and reconstruction efforts in the longer term.

The UN has been working with the Myanmar Government and partners since the onset of the floods. The UN is currently providing USD 10 million in flood assistance across the country, representing half the total international response so far.

To date, our joint response is meeting basic needs of flood-affected people. But the rainy season is not over and we are concerned with reports forecasting additional rains. We must sustain our efforts both to meet immediate needs, as well as to ensure that people, whose assets and livelihoods have been lost, can quickly recover.

The latest situation reports from the Government and OCHA are available at: http://bit.ly/1MjC7vU

For more information please contact:
Pierre Peron, Public Information Officer, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, peronp@un.org , Tel. (+95) 9250198997

U Aye Win, National Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre, Yangon, wina@un.org , Tel. (+95) 9421060343