Myanmar (Burma) cyclone

The disaster unfolding in Myanmar (Burma) as a result of cyclone Nargis is far worse than anyone had anticipated - torrential rains, flooding and gale force winds have killed thousands and made thousands more homeless. ActionAid is working with partners in Myanmar to reach some of the most vulnerable people.

The UN now believes it is likely that over 100,000 people have died in the cyclone and that millions more are homeless and extremely vulnerable. With the serious threat of an outbreak of diarrhea, malaria, dengue, particularly among children and women, urgent help is needed to stop the death toll rising even further.

Roger Yates, head of emergencies for ActionAid, said: "They are desperately searching for the basics to stay alive, food and shelter.

"The most important thing at the moment is clean water and controlling sanitation because if you get a disease outbreak now then you have got a much bigger problem."

The cyclone has destroyed thousands of buildings, power lines, trees, roads and blocked the water supply to large parts of the population. Houses along the coast have been reduced to skeletal structures and 16 villages have been virtually wiped out. Tens of thousands of people are still missing.

ActionAid's response
ActionAid are working with three key local organisations KDN, Pact Myanmar and Myanmar Egress. So far these partners have distributed relief to 44 villages, and moved 1100 survivors from the islands to camps where they are receiving food and medical support.

Three truck loads of goods have been sent to Pyar Pone, and five medical teams are treating the sick and injured.

We are aiming to reach thousands of the most vulnerable people like children, women and the elderly with much-needed immediate aid in the coming days.

Our priority is to continue to provide relief in the following areas:

• food to the most needy
• non food supplies to vulnerable families
• temporary shelters
• emergency rescue and first aid.

Funds raised by the DEC appeal have enabled ActionAid's partners to begin to scale up their relief efforts but more money is needed.

Find out how ActionAid's approach is enabling your donations to have an immediate effect in the disaster stricken areas.

photo : ©REUTERS/courtesy of www.alertnet.org