UN prepared to provide grant from CERF to help cyclone survivors in Myanmar

M/08/11

The United Nations announced today that it was prepared to provide an initial grant from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to facilitate aid for survivors of the devastating tropical cyclone, Nargis, which hit Myanmar last Friday, killing many people and leaving hundreds of thousands without shelter.

"The Government of Myanmar has indicated that they are open to international assistance.  We appreciate the Government's announcement that it is making available approximately $5 million from its own resources for emergency relief, and I am ready to allocate a significant amount from the CERF as the most urgent needs become clear," UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes said.

As the magnitude of the disaster unfolds, the number of people in need of assistance is expected to be considerable.  The UN Country Team in Myanmar reports that urgent needs for those affected by this crisis include shelter, water purification tablets, cooking sets, mosquito nets, emergency health kits and food.

A UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team, composed of disaster management professionals from the region, is being dispatched to Myanmar and is expected to begin work shortly.  Obtaining information on the geographical impact of the storm and on populations affected has been a major challenge because of lack of communications.  Roads have been blocked by debris or flooded and telephone lines cut.

The combined total population of the declared disaster areas is estimated at 24 million.  An estimated 6 million people live in Yangon.  Authorities in Myanmar reported that in Ayeyarwady Division alone, more than 3,000 people are missing.  Authorities have declared five regions - Yangon, Ayeyarwwady, Bago, Mon and Kayin - disaster areas.