Cyclone Nargis - OCHA Situation Reports and Hub Updates
In addition to the Situation Reports, which began 4 April 2008, OCHA now issues Hub Updates focussing on the areas hardest-hit by Cyclone Nargis.
Individual Documents
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Updates on Myanmar, Thailand affected by the Myanmar: Tropical Cyclone Nargis - May 2008 emergency. GLIDE No. TC-2008-000057-MMR
Latest updated documents and maps.
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ReliefWeb
Date of entry/update:
2010-10-27
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SITUATION OVERVIEW:
1. An estimated 2.4 million people were severely affected by Cyclone Nargis, equivalent to more than one
third of the 7.3 million population in the affected townships. Nearly 140,000 are dead or missing, among
which an estimated 55% were female....
2. On 10 July, the United Nations launched a Revised Appeal to address the remaining important relief
needs as well as early recovery needs of the cyclone affected communities. Through the Revised
Appeal, 13 UN agencies and 23 non-governmental organizations have requested US$ 481.8 million in
total, i.e., US$ 280 million beyond the initial US$ 201 million in the Flash Appeal on 9 May. Given the
contributions received so far, an additional US$ 303.6 million is urgently required....
3. On 11 July, an informal donor meeting was organized in Yangon to present needs, strategic priorities
and response plans as elaborated by the clusters in the Revised Appeal.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-07-14
Date of entry/update:
2010-08-10
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SITUATION OVERVIEW:
1. An estimated 2.4 million people were severely affected by Cyclone Nargis, equivalent to more than
one third of the population of 7.3 million in the affected townships. Nearly 140,000 died or are
missing, among which an estimated 55% were female. On 10 July, a Revised Appeal1 was launched
to address the remaining relief and early recovery needs of the severely affected population....
2. On 21 July, the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA) report will be simultaneously launched in
Singapore and Myanmar
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-07-17
Date of entry/update:
2010-08-10
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OVERVIEW & KEY DEVELOPMENTS:
• Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar on 2-3 May 2008, affecting some 2.4 million people living in
Ayeyarwady and Yangon Divisions. Almost 140,000 people were killed or remain missing,
according to the official figures. The high-level coordination mechanism, the Tripartite Core Group
(TCG) consisting the Government of Myanmar, ASEAN and the UN, continues to facilitate
planning, programming and delivery of humanitarian and recovery assistance by the humanitarian
partners. Seven months on, much of emergency programming are wrapping up, and the
humanitarian partners on the ground have been engaged in monitoring and review processes and
forward-planning to transit to early recovery and medium term recovery in the Delta. In particular,
programming for various livelihood recovery support has began in earnest, such as cash-for-work,
food-for-work and grants involving recovery activities in social and small infrastructures. The
support to the agriculture sector through the provision of inputs and training also continues....
• Under the TCG umbrella, the Periodic Review, building on the village tract Assessment (VTA)
component of the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment (PoNJA), has completed data collection and is
now finalising the report. Despite the postponement of the ASEAN summit, the results of the
Periodic Review will be presented in-country later this month. The TCG plans to implement the
Periodic Review at least twice more, in April and August 2009, so as to effectively monitor and
report on recover progress at regular interval and inform planning and programming....
• On the transition to recovery, the TCG umbrella has initiated the process for ?Post Nargis
Recovery and Preparedness Plan (PONREPP)? covering the medium term recovery needs,
starting January 2009 for 3 years. The sectors covered in PONREPP are: livelihoods, shelter,
education & training; health; WASH; disaster risk reduction; the environment; and the protection
and vulnerable groups. The PONREPP also proposes the implementation and coordination
modalities building on and enhancing the existing platforms, including the TCG, clusters, IASC
and hub coordination mechanisms. The first draft will be presented to the TCG at its next regular
meeting....
• A donor meeting, inviting donors based in Bangkok and Yangon, was organised on 9 December
in Yangon, with thematic focus on gaps in the health sector and early recovery as well as on
update on PONREPP. The meeting was followed by a donor visit to health-related project sites in
Yangon area. The continuing need for sustained donor support for the health, agriculture and
early recovery sectors was emphasised. Presentations on existing gaps in the health provision
were made by MSF, Merlin, WHO, UNFPA and UNICEF. MSF presented their experience of
large-scale programming in Myanmar over the preceding 14 years....
• The Myanmar revised Appeal ?Cyclone Nargis Response Plan? covers the emergency and early
recovery needs up until April 2009. As of 11 December, according to the latest data from OCHA?s
Financial Tracking Service (FTS)1, the total requirements are currently US$477 million, after the
adjustments made this week to the food aid project requirements. The funding level is estimated
64% (US$304 million) with uncommitted pledges US$6.3 million recorded. Agriculture remains the
least funded sector with only a quarter of the requirements (US$58.4 million) funded thus far.
Outside of the Appeal, US$167.6 million in contribution and US$27 million in uncommitted
pledges are reported to the FTS.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-12-12
Date of entry/update:
2008-12-22
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SITUATION OVERVIEW:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, making landfall in the Ayeyarwady
Division and hitting the former capital, Yangon. 37 townships were significantly affected by the
cyclone. Current estimates suggest that 2.4 million people were affected. 1.3 million people are
estimated to have been reached so far by International NGOs, the Red Cross and the UN. Official
figures put the number of dead or missing at more than 130,000....
2. A Tripartite Core Group (TCG), consisting of high-level representatives of the Government of
Myanmar, ASEAN and the UN, was established at a donor conference in Yangon on 25 May to
oversee the coordination of relief assistance. Following the meeting, the Post-Nargis Joint
Assessment (PONJA) was initiated to produce a common assessment report that covers
humanitarian needs (Village Tract Assessment/VTA) and damage components (Damage and
Loss Assessment/DaLA) with support from the Government of Myanmar, ASEAN member states
and the United Nations. Some 250 members of the PONJA team completed data collection in
30 affected townships across Yangon and the Ayeyarwady Delta on 20 June. The next
stages of data entry and early analysis are continuing. A progress report will be presented at
the ASEAN roundtable meeting in Yangon on 24 June, while the final report is planned for
release on 18 July....
3. The new Government guidelines for international organizations providing assistance in cycloneaffected
areas were introduced on 10 June. On Friday 20 June, a decision was made in the TCGmeeting
to revert to the procedures in effect before 10 June, where all requests for visas for the
Nargis relief response, from UN agencies and NGOs, will be handled by the TCG and the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs. Requests for travel authorizations from all UN agencies and NGOs will again
be handled by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. During the weekend, all
backlogs of visa requests and travel authorization requests were processed and granted, with a
few exceptions that are still being worked on. As of 19 June, more than 230 visas have been
granted to the UN international staff for the response to Cyclone Nargis, and more than 200
operational UN staff have travelled to the affected areas.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-06-23
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-24
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SITUATION OVERVIEW:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, making landfall in the Ayeyarwady Division
and passing into Yangon Division before hitting the former capital, Yangon. With the wind speed of up
to 200 km/h the damage was the most severe in the delta region, where the effects of the extreme
winds were compounded by a sizable storm surge. Eye-witness accounts suggest that the tidal surge
in some areas was more than 10 feet high. Some 2.4 million people are believed to have been
affected by the cyclone, of a total 4.7 million people living in the affected Townships. The latest official
figures put the number of dead or missing at more than 130,000....
2. UNICEF reports that the camp population in Laputta has declined from over 40,000 to an estimated
10,000. In Bogalay proper, all camps have now been closed. The Government of Myanmar has
established four transit sites at villages in Bogalay Township from where people will be encouraged to
return to their villages. In Myaung Mya the Government has been assisting people to return to their
villages, mostly in Laputta Township. The camp population at the two sites officially recognized by the
government is now down from 13,000 to 3,700. There are also around 800 people in three informal
camps. In Pathein, which was unaffected by the cyclone, all camps have now been closed. The 3,000
people formerly living in camps have returned to their villages, mostly in Laputta. In Mawlamyinegyun
proper, all camps have been closed, with the displaced returning to their villages. In Pyapon proper,
where there were around 37 camps hosting around 17,000 people, all camps steadily closed during
the course of May....
3. A Tripartite Core Group (TCG), consisting of high-level representatives of the Government of
Myanmar, ASEAN and the UN, was established at a donor conference in Yangon on 25 May to
oversee the coordination of relief assistance. The TCG is currently coordinating a comprehensive
multi-sectoral needs assessment in the cyclone-affected areas. Field surveys for the Post-Nargis
Joint Assessment (PONJA) have been taking place from 10-19 June, with some 250 assessment
personnel visiting 30 of the worst-affected Townships. Data-entry for the assessment is now well
underway. The assessment consists of humanitarian needs (Village Tract Assessment/VTA) and
damage components (Damage and Loss Assessment/DaLA)....
4. Since new Government guidelines for international organizations providing assistance in cycloneaffected
areas were introduced on 10 June, UN agencies and NGOs have been reporting increasing
problems with obtaining visas and travel permits for international staff to visit the affected areas. In
many cases the line-ministries now responsible for processing requests have not been provided with
new instructions, which have caused significant delays.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-06-19
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-20
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SITUATION OVERVIEW:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, making landfall in the Ayeyarwady Division
and hitting the former capital, Yangon. 37 townships were significantly affected by the cyclone.
Current estimates suggest that 2.4 million people were affected. 1.3 million of whom are estimated to
have been reached so far by International NGOs, the Red Cross and the UN. The most recent official
figures of 16 May state that 77,738 people have been killed and 55,917 are missing....
2. A Tripartite Core Group (TCG), consisting of high-level representatives of the Government of
Myanmar, ASEAN and the UN, was established at the donor conference on 25 May to oversee the
coordination of relief assistance. The group?s fifth meeting will take place in Yangon on 14 June,
hosted by ASEAN....
3. A joint relief and early recovery assessment (Post-Nargis Joint Assessment: PONJA?) is currently
underway. The assessment involves humanitarian needs and damage components: a Village Tract
Assessment (VTA) and a Damage and Loss Assessment (DaLA). Field surveys in 30 of the worstaffected
townships are taking place between 10 and 19 June. As of 13 June 32 VTA teams have
covered 31 of 128 quadrants? in Pathein, Wakema, Labutta, Bogale, Pyapon and Yangon.
Meanwhile, the 6 DaLA teams have covered 17 of 21 targeted townships. Some 250 assessment
personnel are involved in the PONJA, including representatives of the Government of Myanmar,
ASEAN member states, the UN, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, I/NGOs, the
Myanmar Red Cross Society, the private sector and individual volunteers. Preliminary findings from
the assessment are expected to be shared at the ASEAN roundtable meeting on 24 June and the
finalized assessment report will be shared in mid-July....
4. The Tripartite Core Group (TCG) conducted a field visit on 13 June to monitor the PONJA. The
mission travelled by helicopter to Labutta, Bogale and Pyapon townships, visited temporary
settlements and met with assessment teams, local authorities and central government officials
deployed to the field.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-06-13
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-17
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SITUATION OVERVIEW:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, making landfall in the Ayeyarwady
Division and hitting the former capital, Yangon. 37 townships were significantly affected by the
cyclone. Current estimates suggest that 2.4 million people were affected. 1.3 million people are
estimated to have been reached so far by International NGOs, the Red Cross and the UN. Official
figures put the number of dead or missing at more than 130,000....
2. A Tripartite Core Group (TCG), consisting of high-level representatives of the Government of
Myanmar, ASEAN and the UN, was established at a donor conference in Yangon on 25 May to
oversee the coordination of relief assistance. The group?s fifth meeting took place in Yangon on
14 June. The ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, visited Yangon on 14 June. The
Secretary-General met with TCG partners, PONJA management teams (see below) and
Government representatives....
3. A joint relief and early recovery assessment (Post-Nargis Joint Assessment/PONJA) is underway.
The assessment involves humanitarian needs (Village Tract Assessment/VTA) and damage
components (Damage and Loss Assessment/DaLA). Field surveys involving some 250
assessment personnel are taking place in 30 of the worst-affected townships between 10 and 19
June. As of 16 June 32 VTA teams have covered 84 out of 128 assessment quadrants? in
Bogale, Labutta, Pathein, Pyapon, Wakema and Yangon....
4. New Government guidelines for international organizations providing assistance in cycloneaffected
areas were introduced on 10 June. UN agencies and NGOs report difficulties with
requests for visas and travel authorizations carried out in accordance with the new guidelines,
with many line ministries not provided with instructions to expedite requests. More than 200 visas
have been issued to UN staff as of 15 June. Most of the visas issued have been single entry
visas for two weeks. Extensions are currently being approved in approximately 7-10 days. Close
to 150 international operational UN staff have been to the affected areas as of 15 June, and at
least five international UN staff have now been given permission to be based for up to 3 months
in the field.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-06-16
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-17
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SITUATION OVERVIEW:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, making landfall in the Ayeyarwady Division
and hitting the former capital, Yangon. Of 37 townships affected by the cyclone, 15 are considered to
be worst-affected?. Current estimates suggest that 2.4 million people were affected. 1.3 million people
are estimated to have been reached so far by International NGOs, the Red Cross and the UN. Official
figures as of 16 May state that 77,738 people have been killed and 55,917 remain missing....
2. A Tripartite Core Group (TCG), composed of representatives of the Government of Myanmar, ASEAN
and the UN, was established at the donor conference of 25 May to oversee the coordination of relief
assistance. The third meeting of the group took place on 9 June, chaired by the Director General of
Social Welfare....
3. A joint relief and early recovery assessment (Post-Nargis Joint Assessment/PONJA) coordinated by
the Tripartite Core Group was officially launched in Yangon on 9 June. The assessment involves
humanitarian needs and damage components: a Village Tract Assessment (VTA) and a Damage and
Loss Assessment (DaLA), for which field surveys in the 30 affected townships are planned between
10-19 June. (Results from the VTA are expected at the end of June and will feed into a revised Flash
Appeal.) Assessment team trainings for both components took place during the past week, advance
teams have been travelling to affected areas, and a pilot assessment took place over the weekend....
4. There is a mixed picture regarding access for international staff. UN agencies report no major issues
with obtaining visas for their staff, with 179 visas issued as of 9 June. National and international UN
staff have been travelling to the Ayeyarwaddy delta in increasing numbers with Government approval;
86 international UN staff have visited the affected-areas as of 9 June. International NGOs are
experiencing greater difficulties in entering the country; visa requests in some cases have been
pending for up to three weeks. Some International NGOs report problems in accessing the affected
areas, with reports of organizations being turned away at police checkpoints despite authorization
and unexplained withdrawals of authorization....
5. The Myanmar Cyclone Flash Appeal requests US$201 million for UN agencies and NGOs to meet
the most urgent needs. The appeal is 41% funded as of 9 June, with firm contributions of US$82
million and a further US$51 million in uncommitted pledges. According to the OCHA Financial
Tracking System (FTS) US$164 million has been committed to relief operations in Myanmar in total
as of 9 June, with a further US$108 million in uncommitted pledges. For updated information on
financial contributions, please visit the OCHA Financial Tracking System (FTS) website:
http://reliefweb.int/fts/. Donors are encouraged to verify contributions and inform FTS of corrections
and additional information at [email protected].
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-06-09
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-12
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SITUATION OVERVIEW:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, making landfall in the Ayeyarwady
Division and hitting the former capital, Yangon. Of 37 townships affected by the cyclone, 15 are
considered to be worst-affected?. Current estimates suggest that 2.4 million people were affected
and 1.3 million people are estimated to have been reached so far by International NGOs, the Red
Cross and the UN. Official figures as of 16 May state that 77,738 people have been killed and
55,917 are missing....
2. A Tripartite Core Group (TCG), consisting of high-level representative of the Government of
Myanmar, ASEAN and the UN, was established at the donor conference on 25 May to oversee
the coordination of relief assistance. The group?s fourth meeting took place on 11 June....
3. A joint relief and early recovery assessment (Post-Nargis Joint Assessment/PONJA) commenced
on 5 June with training, an official launch on 9 June and deployment of assessment teams on 10
June. 160 assessment personnel in 32 teams were dispatched to Yangon Division and 15
personnel from three hub coordination teams to Pathein, Bogale and Pyapon on 10 June. On 11
June 35 personnel in 7 teams departed to villages in Yangon Division, 125 personnel in 25 teams
departed for Ayeyarwady Division and 10 personnel from two hub coordination teams left for
Labuta and Wakema. The assessment involves humanitarian needs and damage components: a
Village Tract Assessment (VTA) and a Damage and Loss Assessment (DaLA), for which field
surveys in the 30 affected townships are planned between 10-19 June. Results from the VTA are
expected before the end of June and will feed into a PONJA report and the revised Appeal. The
assessment involves personnel from the Government of Myanmar, ASEAN member states, the
UN, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, I/NGOs, the Myanmar Red Cross, the private
sector and individual volunteers....
4. UN agencies report no major issues with obtaining visas, though in some cases delays of up to
ten days have been reported. Overall, 195 visas have been issued to UN staff involved in the
ongoing operation as of 10 June. Visas are being extended by the authorities without major
obstacles. International NGOs are experiencing greater difficulties, with visa requests in some
cases pending for up to three weeks. Despite some problems, it should be noted that several
NGOs that have not worked in Myanmar before and do not have a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Myanmar have still been issued with visas. NGO
Merlin has received 16 travel authorisations for presence in the affected areas until the end of
August. UN staff have been travelling to the Ayeyarwady delta in increasing numbers with
Government approval and more than 90 international UN staff have visited the affected-areas as
of 9 June (excluding the visit of the UN Secretary General). Some International NGOs report
problems in accessing the affected areas, with reports of organizations being turned away at
police checkpoints despite proper authorization and, at times, unexplained withdrawals of
authorization....
5. The Government of Myanmar?s New Light of Myanmar newspaper reports that 911 foreign aid
workers were provided with visas between 5 May and 5 June 2008. 569 people have been
authorized to work in the cyclone-affected areas during the same period. 458 visas were
reportedly provided to staff from the UN and NGOs, 357 for nationals of ASEAN and
neighbouring countries to provide medical assistance and 96 visas for meeting attendees. The
newspaper reports that 342 people provided with visas have left Myanmar during this time....
6. The Government of Myanmar?s Minister of Planning briefed UN agencies, Inter-Governmental
Organizations and I/NGOS on ?Guiding Principles for carrying out aid and assistance activities for
the cyclone victims” on 10 June. IASC members have expressed concern that, if followed, it will
negatively affect ongoing emergency relief operations. Organizations are to seek approval for
their activities from the relevant line Ministry and the Tripartite Core Group (TCG). Visas and
importation of relief items are to be authorized by line Ministries and the TCG. Detailed listings of
relief supplies and distribution plans are to be shared with line Ministries and Township
Coordination Committees. Supplies are to be temporarily kept in Yangon?. Domestic travel
arrangements are to be shared with line Ministries and Township Coordination Committees are to
be informed of travel arrangements....
7. The Myanmar Cyclone Flash Appeal is appealing for US$201 million for UN agencies and NGOs
to meet the most urgent needs. The appeal is 42.6% funded as of 11 June, with firm contributions
of US$85 million and a further US$51 million in uncommitted pledges. According to the OCHA
Financial Tracking System (FTS) US$168 million has been committed for all relief operations as
of 11 June, with a further US$108 million in uncommitted pledges. For updated information on
financial contributions please visit the OCHA Financial Tracking System (FTS) website at
http://reliefweb.int/fts/. Donors are encouraged to verify contributions and inform FTS of
corrections and additional information at [email protected].
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-06-11
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-12
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HIGHLIGHTS:
* There is an urgent need for substantial amounts of tarpaulins for the shelter sector,
given that stocks in the country have been depleted....
* Relief assistance has been provided by air (helicopter) for the 5th consecutive day....
* There is a pressing need for funding for the logistics operation. Only USD 20 million of
the 50 million required have been received. These funds are needed to extend the outreach of
the operation from the hubs to those villages that have yet to receive assistance....
* Regarding access to the affected areas in the Irrawaddy delta, there are indications that the
process to receive authorisation to travel is currently taking more than 2-3 days.
* As of 4 June 2008, the Red Cross has reached a total of over 228?000 beneficiaries (an
increase of approximately 20% since 2 June), of which 36?605 are located in Yangon Division,
190?000 in Ayeyarwady Division, and 1?590 in Mon State.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-06-06
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-06
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HIGHLIGHTS:
* One month since the cyclone struck Myanmar, preliminary estimates indicate that 1.3 million
beneficiaries, out of the estimated 2.4 million people affected, have been reached with some
assistance by international NGOs, the Red Cross and the UN. Most of those 1.3 million who
have been reached have received very basic assistance, which is inadequate and below
minimum requirements. A large number of villages have not received any support from the UN,
international NGOs, or the Red Cross....
* WFP estimates that it has reached approximately 501,000 beneficiaries with varying rations.
Reports from NGOs from remote areas have not yet been received; therefore the beneficiary
numbers are lower than the actual figure.
* The logistics cluster highlighted that although there is sufficient cargo currently on stock to
maintain flights out of the Bangkok staging area until the end of the week, there is little
information regarding other planned cargo. If this situation is maintained the Logistics Cluster
will decrease the air fleet working out of Bangkok.
* The main challenges in getting shelter materials to beneficiaries are related to material
availability, transport, and access to affected areas. Key agencies have reported a possible
shortage of shelter and relief goods in the coming weeks as the overall distribution capacity
exceeds the pipeline for incoming goods.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-06-04
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-04
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SITUATION:
1. Category 3 Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 May. The cyclone made landfall in the
Irrawaddy delta region, approximately 250 km southwest of Yangon, at around 16:00. The
storm then tracked inland in an ENE direction, directly hitting the capital Yangon itself late the
same night. Latest reports indicate that five areas have been affected: Ayeyarwady
(Irrawaddy) Division, Yangon Division, Bago Division, Kayin (Karen) State, Kayah State and
Mon State....
2. Detailed information on the impact has not been available due to downed communications
and blocked roads. Information on the situation outside Yangon is even more limited,
including in the southwest of the delta region, which is believed to be the worst-hit area and
was affected both by strong winds and a sizable storm surge. The authorities have indicated
that many villages in this area have been completely flattened. The intensity of the storm
decreased significantly as it moved through Kayin State and towards the Thai border....
3. The cyclone has caused widespread devastation in Yangon. Winds of over 190 km/hr tore
down trees and power lines, while accompanying rain caused flooding in many areas.
Telecommunications lines were cut. Buildings have been badly damaged throughout the city,
and it expected that significant numbers have been left without adequate shelter. Electricity is
unlikely to be restored for several days. Water supplies are also likely to be a major problem.
Many roads remain impassable, either due to flooding or fallen debris and the airport has
been closed until further notice....
4. The authorities have reported a total of 138 confirmed deaths. The numbers in need of
assistance are expected to be sizable....
5. Urgent needs are expected to be plastic sheeting, water purification tablets, cooking sets,
mosquito nets, emergency health kits and food. Fuel shortages have also already been
reported. Determining the impact in areas outside Yangon has been even more difficult,
though it can be assumed to be critical, with shelter and safe water being the principal
immediate needs.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-04-04
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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SITUATION IN MYANMAR:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, sweeping through the Ayeyarwady
(Irrawaddy) delta region and the country?s largest city, Yangon. The authorities have declared five
states and divisions (Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Bago, Mon and Kayin) to be disaster areas. Yangon
sustained a direct hit, which downed power and communications lines, and inflicted major
damage to buildings in the city. Many roads are blocked either by flooding or fallen debris.
Damage was most severe in the delta region, where the effects of extreme winds were
compounded by a sizable storm surge. The Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Social Welfare, Relief
and Rehabilitation and Information noted in a briefing this evening that up to 10,000 people are
expected to be dead, with 3,000 more missing in Ayeyarwady Division alone. State media have
reported that in Haing Ky, an island in the delta, 162 were killed and nearly 20,000 houses were
destroyed, leaving 92,706 homeless. Several hundred thousand are estimated to be without
shelter and safe drinking water....
2. Efforts to carry out a comprehensive assessment continue to be hindered by the lack of
communications and blocked roads, however. The Government has announced that military and
police units have been deployed as part of rescue and cleanup operations. It has also established
an Emergency Committee, headed by the Prime Minister....
3. The number of people in need of assistance is expected to be considerable. The combined total
population of the declared disaster areas is around 24 million. Roughly 6 million live in Yangon
and a significant population is spread across the delta region. The UNCT still expects that critical
needs will be plastic sheeting, water purification tablets, cooking sets, mosquito nets, emergency
health kits and food. Fuel shortages have also been reported. The food security situation in the
country, which was already severe, is likely to become more acute....
4. The Government indicated in a briefing with UN agencies and the diplomatic community this
evening that it is open to international assistance, although it would appear at this stage that the
assistance envisaged is primarily bilateral, with assistance going directly to Government relief
agencies. The Government itself has pledged approximately USD 5 million for relief.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-05
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2008-06-03
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SITUATION IN MYANMAR:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, sweeping through the Ayeyarwady
(Irrawaddy) delta region and the country?s largest city, Yangon. The authorities have declared five
states and divisions (Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Bago, Mon and Kayin) to be disaster zones....
2. It is quickly becoming clear that the cyclone has caused unprecedented devastation in the
affected areas. Buildings and infrastructure have been severely damaged, and flooding is
widespread. The low-lying delta region also suffered from the effects of a sizable storm surge,
which is feared to have wiped out whole villages. Latest state media reports put the death toll at
approximately 22,500 with 41,000 missing. There are unconfirmed reports that 10,000 are
reported as having died in the Delta town of Bogalay alone....
3. Hundreds of thousands can be expected to be in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. The
combined total population of the declared disaster areas is around 24 million. Damaged
infrastructure and communications will pose major logistical problems for relief operations.
Humanitarian partners in the country have begun the process of collecting information about the
scale of the destruction, but access to many areas remains severely restricted. Certain parts of
the delta can be reached only by boat, for example....
4. The UN Country Team considers critical needs to be plastic sheeting, water purification tablets,
cooking sets, mosquito nets, emergency health kits and food. Reports of water and fuel shortages
are already appearing in mainstream media. The food security situation in the country, which was
already severe, looks set to become far more acute.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-06
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2008-06-03
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SITUATION IN MYANMAR:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, sweeping through the Ayeyarwady
(Irrawaddy) delta region and the country?s largest city, Yangon. The authorities have declared five
states and divisions (Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Bago, Mon and Kayin) to be disaster zones....
2. It is quickly becoming clear that the cyclone has caused unprecedented devastation in the
affected areas. State media is still holding the death toll at over 22,000, with more than 41,000
missing. It is expected that these figures will rise; it is now evident that the majority of the deaths
have occurred in the low-lying delta region, where Category 4 winds and a 3½ meter storm surge
destroyed 90-95% of the buildings and houses in 7 townships, according to the Government.
10,000 deaths have been reported in the town of Bogalay alone, and most of its 190,000
residents are reported to be homeless. Large areas remain underwater....
3. The situation is becoming increasingly precarious, with relief capacity inside the country already
severely stretched, both in terms of supplies and human resources. Over one million people are
now expected to be in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Severe flooding and damaged
infrastructure and communications continue to pose major logistical problems both for
assessment and for the provision of relief....
4. The UN Country Team considers critical needs to be plastic sheeting, water purification tablets,
cooking sets, mosquito nets, emergency health kits and food. Reports of water and fuel shortages
are already appearing in mainstream media. The food security situation in the country, which was
already severe, looks set to become far more acute.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-07
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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SITUATION IN MYANMAR:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, making landfall in the Ayeyarwady
(Irrawaddy) delta region and directly hitting the country?s largest city, Yangon. A majority of the 40
townships in Yangon and 7 townships in Ayeyarwady Division remain on the Government?s list of
disaster zones....
2. Major damage has been reported in affected areas, and particularly in the low-lying delta region,
where the Cyclone?s impact was compounded by a storm surge. Transport and communications
networks have been badly damaged, rendering many of the worst-hit areas inaccessible to
assessment and relief teams. Significant damage has been reported to buildings and houses.
The official death toll still stands at just over 22,000, with more than 41,000 missing, though this
may well rise. Precise figures on the extent of the disaster or the numbers in need of protection
are still not available, and many areas of the delta have not been reached since the Cyclone
struck....
3. Critical remain shelter materials, water purification tables, cooking sets, mosquito nets,
emergency health kits and food.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-08
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2008-06-03
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SITUATION IN MYANMAR:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, sweeping through the Ayeyarwady
(Irrawaddy) delta region and the country?s largest city, Yangon....
2. Based on the original Government estimates of 975,858 persons affected at three days after the
disaster in the most seriously hit eight townships only, it is now estimated by the UN that at least
1,500,000 people are severely affected. Damage and needs assessments are ongoing in affected
areas. The Government revised the initial declaration of five States and Divisions as disaster
zones downwards to only Ayeyarwady (7 townships) and Yangon (40 townships) Divisions, on 6
May. Assessments by the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) in Bago, Mon and Kayin
suggested that they were less affected. The UN estimates that 5,000 square kilometres are still
flooded....
3. The authorities have reported 22,908 confirmed deaths and 42,119 missing by 8 May. The
unofficial estimates are significantly higher. Most fatalities and damage were due to the storm
surge, as well as the severe winds and rain. There is growing concern for the management of
dead bodies....
4. Assessments describe widespread destruction of housing and flooding, especially in delta areas,
with contamination of a significant proportion of water sources. Pressing needs identified included
food, water, water purification supplies and receptacles, sanitation facilities, including for shelter
camps, roofing and construction materials, fuel, as well as essential medicines and treatment.
The Government has estimated that 75% of schools in the seven severely affected townships
have collapsed while remaining 25% have lost their roofs....
5. Given the gravity of the situation including the lack of food and water, some partners have
reported fears for security, and violent behaviour in the most severely afflicted areas. Some
assessments have suggested that people are coping by migrating outwards from the most
affected to less affected areas in search of the basic necessities.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-09
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2008-06-03
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SITUATION IN MYANMAR:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, making landfall in the Ayeyarwady
Division and directly hitting the country?s largest city, Yangon. 40 townships in Yangon Division
and 7 townships in Ayeyarwady Division remain on the Government?s list of disaster areas....
2. Assessments have now been made in 38 townships, with response efforts ongoing in a further
28. Teams have reported major damage in affected areas, particularly in the low-lying delta
region, where the Cyclone?s impact was compounded by a storm surge. The official death toll is
now 22,997, with 42,119 missing and 1,430 injured. Unofficial figures are considerably higher.
Based on the original Government estimate of 975,858 persons affected three days after the
disaster in the eight most seriously hit townships, the UN now estimates that at least 1,500,000
people are severely affected....
3. Food, water purification supplies and receptacles, sanitation facilities for temporary camps,
shelter materials, fuel, and essential medicines and treatment are all critical needs. Some people
are now migrating outwards from the most affected areas in search of basic necessities while
others are stranded in areas of the delta without drinking water, food or shelter. Damaged
infrastructure and communications, as well as flooding, pose challenges for relief efforts, which
may be exacerbated by heavy rainfall that has been forecast over the next seven days (see
annexed map)....
4. Flights carrying relief items have been getting in to the country, and the Government and
humanitarian partners are reaching an increasing number of affected persons. However, access
for international humanitarian personnel remains unresolved....
5. A constitutional referendum has been taking place in Myanmar today, in areas other than those
that remain on the Government?s list of disaster areas.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-10
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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SITUATION IN MYANMAR:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, making landfall in the Ayeyarwady
Division and directly hitting the country?s largest city, Yangon. 40 townships in Yangon Division
and 7 townships in Ayeyarwady Division remain on the Government?s list of disaster areas....
2. Assessment teams have reported major damage in affected areas, particularly the low-lying delta
region, where the Cyclone?s impact was compounded by a storm surge. The delta townships of
Labutta, Bogale and Mawlamyinegyun were especially heavily hit. The official death toll now
stands at 28,458, with 33,416 missing. Unofficial figures are considerably higher. Based on the
original Government estimate of 975,858 persons affected three days after the disaster in the
eight most seriously hit townships, the UN now estimates that at least 1,500,000 people are
severely affected....
3. Food, water purification supplies and receptacles, sanitation facilities for temporary camps,
shelter materials, fuel, and essential medicines and treatment are all critical needs. Some people
are now migrating outwards from the most affected areas in search of basic necessities while
others are stranded in areas of the delta without drinking water, food or shelter. The movement of
affected populations is rendering some of the assessment data out-of-date. Damaged
infrastructure and communications, as well as flooding, pose challenges for relief efforts. Heavy
rain has been forecast over the next week, which may exacerbate relief efforts....
4. Flights carrying relief items have been getting in to the country, and the Government and
humanitarian partners are reaching an increasing number of affected persons. However, the
amounts of aid getting in are still not sufficient, and access for international humanitarian
personnel remains unresolved.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-12
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2008-06-03
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SITUATION IN MYANMAR:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, making landfall in Ayeyarwady Division
and directly hitting the country?s largest city, Yangon. 40 townships in Yangon Division and 7
townships in Ayeyarwady Division remain on the Government?s list of disaster areas....
2. Assessment teams have reported major damage in affected areas, particularly the low-lying delta
region, where the Cyclone?s impact was compounded by a storm surge. The delta townships of
Labutta, Bogale and Mawlamyinegyun were especially heavily hit. The official death toll now
stands at 31,938, with 29,770 missing. Unofficial estimates are considerably higher. Based on
the original Government figure of 975,858 persons affected three days after the disaster in the
eight most seriously hit townships, it is estimated that at least 1,500,000 people are severely
affected....
3. Food, shelter, medical supplies and water are all critical needs. The early rehabilitation of farmers
has also been identified as being crucial, as the affected area is an important rice-growing area.
People are now reported to have begun migrating outwards from the most affected areas in
search of basic necessities while others are stranded in areas of the delta without drinking water,
food or shelter. The movement of affected populations is rendering some of the assessment data
out-of-date. Damaged infrastructure and communications, as well as flooding, pose serious
logistical challenges for relief efforts. Weather reports for affected areas in the coming days
continue to be unfavourable, with heavy rainfall predicted....
4. Flights carrying relief items have been getting in to the country, and the Government and
humanitarian partners are reaching an increasing number of affected persons. However, the
levels of aid getting in to the country remain far below what is required to meet the needs on the
ground.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-13
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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SITUATION IN MYANMAR:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, making landfall in Ayeyarwady Division
and directly hitting the country?s largest city, Yangon. 40 townships in Yangon Division and 7
townships in Ayeyarwady Division remain on the Government?s list of disaster areas....
2. Assessment teams have reported major damage in affected areas, particularly the low-lying delta
region, where the Cyclone?s impact was compounded by a storm surge. The official death toll
now stands at 34,273, with 27,836 missing. Unofficial estimates are considerably higher. Based
on the original Government figure of 975,858 persons affected three days after the disaster in the
eight most seriously hit townships, the UN now estimates that between 1.6 and 2.5 million people
are severely affected....
3. 22 agencies were undertaking assessments in 58 townships as of 13 May 2008. Priority
townships for further assessments (where gaps in information have been identified) are Dedaye,
Pyapon, Kyaiklat, Mawlamyinegyun, Wakema, and the southern part of Bogale. These same
areas are also currently assessed as underserved by relief responses....
4. Food, shelter, medical supplies and water are all critical needs. The early rehabilitation of the
agricultural sector has also been identified as being crucial, as the affected area is central to
Myanmar?s rice industry. People have been migrating outwards from the most affected areas in
search of basic necessities. Early estimates suggest that temporary settlements may now be
sheltering over 550,000 people in Ayeyarwady and Yangon Divisions. Damaged infrastructure
and communications, as well as flooding, pose serious logistical challenges for relief efforts.
Weather reports for affected areas in the coming days continue to be unfavourable, with heavy
rainfall predicted....
5. Flights carrying relief items have been getting in to the country, and the Government and
humanitarian partners are reaching an increasing number of affected persons. However, the
levels of aid getting in to the country remain far below what is required to meet the needs on the
ground. There is also concern that a logistical bottleneck may be developing in Yangon.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-14
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2008-06-03
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SITUATION IN MYANMAR:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, making landfall in Ayeyarwady Division
and directly hitting the country?s largest city, Yangon. 40 townships in Yangon Division and 7
townships in Ayeyarwady Division remain on the Government?s list of disaster areas....
2. Assessment teams have reported major damage in affected areas, particularly the low-lying delta
region, where the Cyclone?s impact was compounded by a storm surge. The official death toll
now stands at 38,491, with 27,838 missing. Unofficial estimates are considerably higher. Based
on the original Government figure of 975,858 persons affected three days after the disaster in the
eight most seriously hit townships, the UN now estimates that between 1.6 and 2.5 million people
may be severely affected....
3. Food, shelter, medical supplies and water are all critical needs. There is a growing risk of the
outbreak of disease among affected populations. The early rehabilitation of the agricultural sector
has also been identified as being crucial, as the affected area is central to Myanmar?s rice
industry. People have been migrating outwards from the most affected areas in search of basic
necessities. Early estimates suggest that temporary settlements may now be sheltering over
550,000 people in Ayeyarwady and Yangon Divisions. Agencies on the ground are in the process
of mapping the locations of these sites and the numbers of people in each. Damaged
infrastructure and communications, as well as flooding, pose serious logistical challenges for
relief efforts. Weather reports for affected areas in the coming days continue to be unfavourable,
with heavy rainfall predicted....
4. Relief flights continue to land at Yangon International Airport, and the Government and
humanitarian partners are reaching an increasing number of affected persons. However, the
levels of aid getting in to the country remain far below what is required to meet the needs on the
ground. There is also concern that a logistical bottleneck may be developing in Yangon.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-15
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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SITUATION IN MYANMAR:
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, making landfall in Ayeyarwady Division
and directly hitting the country?s largest city, Yangon. 40 townships in Yangon Division and 7
townships in Ayeyarwady Division remain on the Government?s list of disaster areas....
2. Assessment teams have reported major damage in affected areas, particularly the low-lying
Ayeyawady (Irrawaddy) delta region, where the Cyclone?s impact was compounded by a storm
surge. The official death toll now stands at 78,000 with 56,000 missing. Unofficial estimates are
considerably higher. Based on the original Government figure of 975,858 persons affected three
days after the disaster in the eight most seriously hit townships, the UN now estimates that
between 1.5 and 2 million people have been severely affected....
3. Food, shelter, medical supplies and water are all critical needs. There is a growing risk of an
outbreak of infectious disease among affected populations. The early rehabilitation of the
agricultural sector has also been identified as being crucial, as the affected area is central to
Myanmar?s rice industry. People have been migrating outwards from the most affected areas in
search of basic necessities. Early estimates suggest that temporary settlements may now be
sheltering over 550,000 people in Ayeyarwady and Yangon Divisions. Agencies on the ground
are in the process of mapping the locations of these sites and the numbers of people in each.
Affected areas have experienced heavy rainfall in recent days, which is predicted to continue with
the onset of the monsoon....
4. Relief flights continue to land at Yangon International Airport, and the Government and
humanitarian partners are reaching an increasing number of affected persons. However, the
levels of aid getting in to the country remain far below what is required to meet the needs on the
ground. There is also concern that a logistical bottleneck may be developing in Yangon.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-16
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2008-06-03
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HIGHLIGHTS:
1. The official figures for dead and missing have almost doubled in the last 24 hours and now
stand at 77,738 dead and 55,917 missing. Unofficial figures are considerably higher. The
number of injured rose steeply to 19,359, up from 1,403. The latest official figure for dead and
missing combined is 133,653. The Cluster Leads in country are working on the results
assessments and information received from the delta region to ascertain the number of affected....
2. An estimated 500,000 individuals have been reached with emergency relief from the
international community. However there are gaps in information of people reached by
government-provided services, and relief provided locally by communities and charitable
benefactors....
3. Time is of the essence with the fast approaching monsoon season. Extensive damage to the
agriculture production risks the loss of the November harvest given the planting season
ends within five to seven weeks, depending on the areas. If this planting season is lost then
assistance would be required for some months to come. In addition this could also potentially
disrupt the local economy and livelihood opportunities for the communities in the delta. It is
estimated that over USD 10 million worth of seeds is needed. The Early Recovery and
Agriculture clusters are working closely with national authorities to address this issue....
4. Restrictions on the importation and use of communications equipment in Myanmar are
impacting communications between relief agencies....
5. Transport and Storage networks of the Logistics Operations Plan are being put in place.
Contracts for boats and trucking fleets to access the delta have been issued and now work is
underway to coordinate the plans of the clusters for aid arriving in Yangon, and distribution
beyond. This will facilitate a clear understanding of capacities for the optimum use of
transportation and allow for forward planning to address possible gaps....
6. The establishment of three operational centres in Labutta, Pathein, and Bugale, in the delta
region to support the current multi-sectoral coordination in the most damaged areas is underway.
Cluster Leads are working together to develop a common plan and communication mechanism
between Yangon and the delta....
7. Food, shelter, medical supplies and water remain critical needs. The Food Cluster still awaits the
approval of the Government to import rice, pulses and oil....
8. The Government of Myanmar arranged a helicopter tour of the affected areas and temporary
relief settlements for diplomats, Heads of UN Agencies on Sunday 17 May. ASEAN team
members and UNDAC were also invited to participate.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-17
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2008-06-03
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HIGHLIGHTS:
1. The estimated number of affected persons is 2.4 million, including those severely affected. These figures are based on the numerous assessment reports received of the numbers of people affected in each township. Whilst limited access has hampered the accuracy of the data, Cluster Leads were today able to gain a picture of gaps that require further assessments, and agree upon a baseline planning figure for programming....
2. Initial estimates indicate 150,000 people in about 120 settlements in the delta. This is a mixture of both official and unofficial temporary settlements....
3. Requests with the Government for the approval of international staff to travel to the affected region are still pending. Although access to the delta is challenging, some elements of the Logistics Cluster Operations Plan are in place. Maximum efforts are being made by partners to utilise national structures existing prior to Cyclone Nargis to provide assistance to the affected areas. Relief arriving on commercial flights is being transported to the affected areas. However, this is not of the quantity or frequency required to meet the needs of the affected populations. Access is also compounded by the weather conditions as heavy rains prevent cargo from moving along some roads to the delta....
4. The Government has announced that schools will open on 2 June 2008. There is concern regarding those schools in both the delta and Yangon areas that are currently being used as temporary settlements....
5. Several agencies report that movement of people towards less affected areas is continuing, driven by food shortages in the most affected villages. Increases in the numbers of displaced persons in population centres were reported including in temporary settlements Labutta and Pathein....
6. Local authorities in Labutta have told relief workers that they have started sending villagers back to their villages....
7. According to the figures of the Yangon office of the UN Department of Safety and Security there are currently 109 national UN staff present in the cyclone-affected areas, and 72 international UN staff in Yangon. No international UN staff have been authorised to work in the affected areas....
8. Thailand?s Foreign Minister said Sunday that the Thai government has agreed to a UN proposal to use Bangkok?s Don Mueang airport a logistical centre for humanitarian aid to cyclone survivors....
9. There has been no change in the official figures for dead and missing since yesterday. 77,738 are reported dead and 55,917 missing.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-18
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2008-06-03
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HIGHLIGHTS:
1. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) today announced that Myanmar
had agreed to accept international aid agencies and medical workers from all
ASEAN countries to help with the relief effort. The 10-member ASEAN group also said
Myanmar should allow more international relief workers into stricken areas. The
Foreign Minister of Singapore said that ASEAN ?will establish a mechanism so that aid
from all over the world can flow into Myanmar". Indonesia?s Foreign Minister said that
each ASEAN country would send a team of 30 medical personnel very soon, with
unrestricted movement in the country....
2. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
John Holmes arrived in Myanmar on Sunday evening. Today (Monday) he was able to
visit Labutta and Wakema townships in the Ayeyarwady delta and saw first hand the
situation in this area. The ERC spent time speaking with the IASC Country Team,
Cluster Leads and representatives of the Myanmar Red Cross Society and the IFRC to
gain a clear picture of the progress and challenges in the response. Tomorrow
(Tuesday) the ERC meets with the Government of Myanmar....
3. The humanitarian community indicates that 500,000 people receive some form of
international assistance. This is substantially less that the 2.4 million estimated to be
affected of whom more than half (1.4 million) in severely affected areas requiring
prioritised assistance. It is clear that the emergency phase is set to continue for
some time. Some people are moving back to their places of origin where they will need
humanitarian assistance as well as the necessary support to restart their livelihoods and
farming....
4. Heavy rains are continuing and the conditions for road transportation remain
poor in delta areas....
5. Local authorities in Labutta granted access to villages outside of the town that
had previously been restricted, as well as to eight government distribution stations,
for the delivery of food assistance....
6. Health supplies continue to reach the key hospitals in the major centres, yet delivery of
this assistance beyond the hospitals to the outlying communities remains a
challenge. At least 50% of health structures are damaged or destroyed and restricted
access continues to hamper the relief efforts....
7. Reliable reports of severe watery diarrhoea continue to cause concern. It is
important to note that the number of cases is still within the normal seasonal range.
A reliable early warning system has been put in place by the Ministry of Health, UN,
national and international NGOs in the affected areas. The water supply system has
been compromised in many areas forcing people to collect water from ponds and rivers
which seem to be widely contaminated. Every possible action to prepare for a
potential outbreak is being taken as all risk factors are present. With the upcoming
rainy season dengue fever is also expected, however the current situation poses a more
serious outbreak. The Ministry of Health has begun preparing prevention activities with
the support of the Health Cluster....
8. Also of concern is the fragile situation of children in the cyclone-affected areas.
Pre-cyclone statistics did indicate that about one-third of children under five there suffer
from some form of malnutrition. While the food supply to the affected areas has
improved over the past few days, clearly huge infusions of food assistance are
urgently required. Children are among the most vulnerable in any disaster and with so
many children already in a weakened state, lack of nutrition, water, sanitation and
shelter, can be a lethal combination....
9. The Government of Myanmar today declared three days of national mourning for the
victims of Cyclone Nargis, beginning on Tuesday 20 May. State media today reported
that over 50 billion Myanmar kyats (approximately USD 46.3 million) have been spent
on relief works and rehabilitation tasks to date.
10. There has been no change in the official figures for dead and missing. 77,738 are
reported dead and 55,917 missing.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-19
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2008-06-03
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HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Of the 2.4 million affected by Cyclone Nargis, it is estimated that 1.4 million are located in
the most severely affected townships of the delta region. However, Yangon was also
badly hit with some 680,000 living in severely affected areas. Various assessment
reports confirm these estimated figures, although assessments of all affected areas have
not been possible as yet....
2. Additional assessment data reinforce previous assessments informing of an estimated 239
temporary formal and informal settlements in the worst affected areas of Yangon and
the delta region. It is important to note that the majority of temporary settlements are in
Buddhist monasteries, while the minority are in tented camps. Official tented camps are in
Labutta, Bogale, Pathein, Maubin, and Myaungmya. The remainder of settlements are in
other public buildings, including schools. The formal camps are being serviced by the
Government, while non-formal camps are variously receiving services from Government,
MRCS, INGO, NGO, local CBOs, faith-based organisations and private citizens.
In the Ayeyarwady delta, it is estimated that 91,000 people are sheltered in settlements
in their townships of origin, while 25,000 have been displaced to settlements in other
townships. In such cases, movements are from Labutta to Myaungmya and Pathein, from
Bogale and Pyapon to Maubin, and from Ngaputaw to Pathein....
3. John Holmes today met with the Prime Minister of Myanmar and ministers. The ERC
discussed the modalities of providing international assistance, and raised various
issues that needed to be resolved in order to provide an effective international
response, especially that of access, to support the Government of Myanmar. The
Government assured John Holmes that they would give all issues he raised careful
consideration. In addition, the ERC met with the donor community in Yangon and
separately with members of the diplomatic corps, at which time he briefed them on findings
from his field visits, discussions with the Government, and as well as the forthcoming arrival
of the UN Secretary General and upcoming pledging conference....
4. The Early Recovery/Agriculture clusters met today with the line Ministries for livestock,
fisheries, crops and forestry and cluster partners to plan a joint comprehensive intervention
before the end of the planting season. Cluster partners are working to complement
Government plans for a targeted response....
5. Public health services had treated around 90,000 out-patients and 10,000 in-patients by 18
May, including 2,887 mild diarrhoea cases and 124 severe diarrhoea cases....
6. There has been no change in the official figures for dead and missing. 77,738 are reported
dead and 55,917 missing.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-20
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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HIGHLIGHTS:
1. The Minister of Commerce has granted WFP permission to buy an initial 10,000 MT of
rice through its usual suppliers, as part of the agreement for delivery of food assistance for
6 months in the delta. This complements the 1,909.5 MT of rice delivered to the affected
areas as of 20 May. To feed the 750,000 people for 3 months, as planned in the Flash
Appeal, will require 55,000 MT of rice of which only 50% may be procured in country. Given
the Food Cluster has been awaiting the approval of the Government to import rice, pulses
and vegetable oil (Situation Report 13), this is a breakthrough and the beginning of
increased provision of food to the affected areas. However, this remains a fraction of the
amount needed....
2. USG John Holmes met with the Secretary General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan while in
Yangon to discuss arrangements for cooperation and coordination between the UN and
international humanitarian community, ASEAN and the Government of Myanmar in
accordance with the declaration of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers of 19 May 2008....
3. In Labutta, the authorities announced that there are now 12 tented relief settlements, which
plan to operate for 6 months, and that all other temporary shelters in Labutta town would be
closed down by 9 June....
4. The capacity to transport goods to the delta increased today with the contracting of three
barges and fleet of thirty trucks. The transport of assistance is dependent on the
prioritisation of the humanitarian community to the affected townships and the supply
pipeline....
5. There has been no change in the official figures for dead and missing. 77,738 are reported
dead and 55,917 missing.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-21
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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HIGHLIGHTS:
1. The UN Secretary General today arrived in Myanmar. He was able to witness cyclone-devastated
areas and visited temporary relief tented camps. He met with the Prime Minister of
Myanmar, the Foreign Minister and the UN Country Team. He also paid his respects at the
Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon....
2. An independent source estimates that 110,000 persons are living in temporary settlements
in 14 townships. Of these, 70% are sheltering in monasteries, 28% in public buildings and 2%
in tented camps. The highest numbers of homeless people in temporary settlements are in
Labutta (34,000), Bogale (15,500), Myaungmya (12,000) and Pyapon (9,700) townships in
Ayeyarwady, and Kungyangon township (20,000) in Yangon Division....
3. Five international medical teams are now providing medical care to those in need and
support to national health-care staff in the affected areas of Ayeyarwady and Yangon
Divisions. The Thai team is in Myaungmya, the Indian team in Bogale and Pyapon, the Chinese
team in Kungyangon and Dedaye, the Bangladeshi team in Wakema and the Lao team in
Kyauktan. The sixth team, from Singapore, is expected to arrive today....
4. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement ? which is spearheading the national
relief response ? approved the Food Cluster Response Plan that delineates the geographical
coverage and beneficiary numbers for cluster partners....
5. The Director General of the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) invited representatives from
UNICEF, Save the Children and World Vision on 21 May to discuss Child Protection issues in
response to the impact of Cyclone Nargis. All partners agreed that the principle of family
unity and community-based care and support for all children, should be the foundation
for any strategy and action plan for children. The Department asked UNICEF to lead a
national action plan for child protection in emergencies in partnership and with the direct
involvement of DSW. A taskforce has been formed with representatives from DSW, UNICEF,
Save the Children and World Vision. DSW will liaise with the Minister and higher officials in this
regard....
6. The logistics cluster is now operating a 4,000 square metre warehouse in Yangon (managed by
DHL), along with a fleet of 30 trucks, four barges (200-800 MT) with four barge pushers, and two
boats (300 and 600 MT). In five local hubs, (Pyapon, Bogale, Mawlamyinegyun, Labutta and
Pathein) six Mobile Storage Units have been or are being constructed....
7. There has been no update to the official figures for dead and missing. 77,738 are reported
dead and 55,917 missing.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-22
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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HIGHLIGHTS:
1. The UN Secretary General today met with Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State
Peace and Development Council, in the capital Nay Pyi Taw. During the two-hour meeting,
the Secretary General received assurances that humanitarian aid workers would be
allowed into Myanmar regardless of nationality. However, the modalities of how this will
work are still not known....
2. Following his visit to Nay Pyi Taw, the Secretary General met with representatives of local
civil society groups and UN staff in Yangon and conveyed his appreciation for their
collective efforts over the last three weeks....
3. Today?s New Light of Myanmar reported that The Minister of National Planning and Economic
Development stated that altogether 419 relief camps had been set up since the cyclone
passed....
4. Save the Children has been requested by the Government to set up pre-schools providing
early childhood care and development services to young children within official tented
camps in Myaungmya and Maubin townships. Camps in these locations are currently
estimated to be sheltering 12,000 and 6,500 people respectively....
5. Only 35% of the population affected in the 15 most severely affected of the 37 affected
townships in Yangon and the Ayeyarwady delta has received plastic sheeting for
shelter1. This provides only a simple cover from the rain, and is a small component of the
required shelter kits that would enable a family to cook meals, transport and purify water and
supply families with the necessary tools to erect a robust structure.
In Bogale township, in the most southern part of the delta area, it is estimated that 286,000
people are affected. Approximately 36% of the population of Bogale are in informal or official
temporary settlements, or with host families, or have moved out of Bogale. Given that these
families would also require shelter materials, it is estimated that only 4.5% of those in
need have been reached with plastic sheeting. Shelter, Hamlet and Family Kits in the
required quantity are urgently needed for the affected areas, to complement national efforts.
In Mawlamyinegyun where 230,000 were affected, 88% still require shelter materials....
These include 71,300 people who are staying with relatives.
6. An official news release from the National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee in
today?s New Light of Myanmar reported that 2,029 health staff from the Ministries of
Health and Defence and NGOs had been deployed to the affected areas.
These health personnel are being supported through the bilateral assistance of the
governments of Bangladesh, China, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, which
mobilized health-care workers to the affected areas. With the arrival of a medical team from
Singapore yesterday there are now 198 health-care workers from the six countries in the
cyclone-affected areas. The 47-strong medical team sent by the Government of India
reported providing health services to nearly 1,500 people per day since it was first deployed
to Pyapon and Bogale townships on 17 May....
7. There has been no update to the official figures for dead and missing in the since 16 May.
77,738 are reported dead and 55,917 missing.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-23
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Based on available assessments, 2.4 million people are estimated to have been affected by
Cyclone Nargis in the 40 most-affected townships (including urban Yangon townships). Of
the 2.4 million people affected, an estimated 1,017,000 (42%) people have been reached
with some kind of relief support to date, through the combined efforts of MRCS (96,000),
UN and INGOs (793,000), and local NGOs and civil society groups (128,000). However, the
majority of this assistance has been delivered to people living in Yangon Division. Of the
estimated 2 million people in the 15 worst-affected townships, it is estimated that only
470,000 (23%) have been reached....
2. Today, the Humanitarian Country Team (IASC) has put in place a mechanism whereby
movements of relief goods to the affected areas are prioritized based on need. Clusters
have examined the needs for supplies by sector in each township, so that movement of
supplies through the logistics cluster can be prioritized based on assessments. This will be
refined and adjusted according to the progression of the response....
3. A rapid assessments technical working group set up by the clusters has agreed on a draft
common multi-sector rapid assessment tool to identify priority emergency needs at the
Village Tract level, and provide essential baseline data to inform decision making on
how best to respond. This follows the consolidation of all available assessments
undertaken since the cyclone and provides a common, comprehensive approach to those
areas where information is lacking. The clusters themselves will continue to plan and carry
out their own specific cluster assessments....
4. A seventh team of ASEAN national medical experts, this time from the Philippines, has
been mobilized to support the national relief response in Myanmar. The Philippines team is
due to arrive on Monday 26 May, bringing with it medical supplies and other relief goods. The
30-strong team is expected to be deployed to Pathein, in Ayeyarwady Division....
5. There has been no update to the official figures for dead and missing since 16 May. 77,738
are reported dead and 55,917 missing.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-24
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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HIGHLIGHTS:
1. An ASEAN-UN International Pledging Conference on Cyclone Nargis was held on Sunday 25
May in Yangon. Fifty-one countries were represented at the meeting, where there was
universal recognition of the unprecedented magnitude of the disaster for Myanmar. There
was unanimous agreement on the need to scale up urgently and very significantly the current
relief efforts to ensure that those in desperate need are reached quickly and with adequate
life-saving relief supplies, and that an effective flow of these supplies is maintained for as long
as necessary. There was strong agreement that a major extra effort would be needed from all
quarters to achieve the immediate objective of preventing further unnecessary deaths.
There was strong support for the decision reached at the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers
Meeting held on 19 May 2008 in Singapore to establish an ASEAN-led coordinating
mechanism. To realize this, an ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force for the Victims of Cyclone
Nargis has been established, composed of senior officials and experts from ASEAN
countries, and led by the Secretary General of ASEAN. There was a warm welcome for the
proposed creation of a Yangon-based Tripartite Core Group comprising representatives from
the Government of Myanmar, ASEAN and UN as a working mechanism for coordinating,
facilitating, and monitoring the flow of international assistance into the country. This should
begin its work immediately to ensure full information exchange, close coordination of relief
and recovery efforts, and resolution of any problems that may arise.
For the longer term, the Government of Myanmar focused on the scale of rehabilitation,
reconstruction and recovery efforts likely to be needed, and the immediate requirement to
ensure that farming and fishing activities could be resumed as soon as possible. The
international community was ready to consider helping the Government of Myanmar in these
and other areas. For these purposes, a comprehensive rapid joint assessment of recovery
needs, and development of a shared post-disaster recovery and reconstruction plan are
indispensable steps....
2. The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr John Holmes, reminded the conference that the crisis
was still clearly in the emergency relief phase and that an effective relief supply operation will
be needed for many months to come. Flights are currently arriving at the rate of around 10-15
per day, and these still need to be stepped up further to meet the need. The crucial question
remains how many people of those in urgent need of major assistance have not been
reached at all. It is clear that delivery needs to be scaled up at the far end of the chain as fast
as possible in these areas to avert the risk of extra and unnecessary deaths due to diseases
and nutritional deficiency. The critical danger remains of a potential second wave of deaths
among those not so far reached or only reached with small amounts of assistance. Forced
returns of any kind are completely unacceptable. He concluded by reiterating that the only
test at the end of the day is whether lives have been saved, more unnecessary deaths have
been avoided, and those still in desperate need have been helped....
3. Two interagency teams comprising UN, INGO and national NGOs returned from an
assessment mission to Bogale and Labutta Districts, visiting a number of townships to assess
the current status of coordination. The two groups presented their findings in Yangon today,
including recommendations. These findings will feed into current planning to operationalize
five coordination centres in Labutta, Bogale, Pyapon, Mawlamyinegyun, and Pathein. In the
same vein, the Humanitarian Coordinator requested Cluster Leads to identify counterparts in
these five locations, stressing that these counterparts need not be from the lead agency. The
Humanitarian Coordinator advised leads to identify in particular national and international
NGO counterparts with appropriate operational capacity in these locations....
4. Identifying the need to further strengthen the participation and information sharing with NGOs
in the clusters, the Humanitarian Coordinator and Cluster Leads agreed to identify NGO focal
points for each cluster....
5. The Humanitarian Coordinator advised Cluster Leads today that dedicated coordination and
information management capacity for each cluster was a priority. The Humanitarian
Coordinator agreed to request support from Global Cluster Leads where required....
6. There has been no update to the official figures for dead and missing since 16 May. 77,738
are reported dead and 55,917 missing.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-26
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Today the Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement travelled with the Humanitarian
Coordinator, World Food Programme Regional Director for Asia, Save the Children and
representatives from other UN agencies, NGOs and donors to the affected areas in the delta.
They were able to visit several locations in Labutta and Bogale townships. During the visit the
team viewed sample temporary classrooms erected by SDC. The Minister of Social Welfare
informed that school would start one month later, July 2008, for those children in the
Ayeyarwady....
2. Three international staff from Save the Children were authorised to travel today to the
affected areas. They first travelled today to Pathein, from where they will continue their
journey to cyclone-affected townships of the western delta by boat tomorrow.
Médecins sans Frontières Switzerland has received permission for 8 international staff to
travel to the most affected areas.
UNICEF reported that it had received permission over the weekend for 6 international staff to
travel to the delta.
World Food Programme Country representative today travelled to Labutta and Bogale to the
regional sub-offices, by road....
3. There has been no update to the official figures for dead and missing since 16 May. 77,738
are reported dead and 55,917 missing.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-27
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Today, the Government of the Union of Myanmar approved all remaining visa requests
(45) for various UN agencies....
2. The leads of the Tripartite Core Group have been identified as follows: for the GoUM the
Deputy Foreign Minister, from ASEAN the Thai Ambassador to Myanmar, and from the UN
the Humanitarian Coordinator a.i....
3. Support to the national authorities is being strengthened through the increased
participation of government representatives in the cluster. Formal invitations from the
Clusters to relevant line ministries and authorities have been sent and favourably received....
4. The Food Cluster estimates that monthly food requirement is approximately 8,933 tons. The
Food Cluster estimates now that it has reached approximately 483,000 beneficiaries
with varying rations (aim to reach 750,000 people). WFP plans to cover 11 townships in
Ayeyarwady and 8 townships in Yangon for its emergency response. Verification process is
underway to check overlaps and covering gaps in estimated beneficiary caseload. Reports
from NGOs from remote areas have not been received; therefore the beneficiary numbers are
not precise. Coordination of WFP food distribution plan is delegated to Township levels. If
gaps are identified, it should be communicated to the WFP sub-offices in Labutta and Bogale.
WFP as the designated lead for the food cluster is running an Emergency Operation for
Myanmar with a budget of US$69.5 million aims to deliver a complete food basket to a total of
750,000 people in need of immediate food assistance. So far, this emergency operation has
received 21.3 million in contribution....
5. In Bogale local coordinated efforts for the Health Cluster are successfully being
developed with UNICEF, IOM, WFP, UNHCR, ACF, MSF and a local NGO. As a result, a
Joint Emergency Response Mobile Operation to provide multi-sectoral services to the cyclone
victims has been established. The objectives of the joint operation are to provide multisectoral
services to cyclone victims at the same time, to minimize the resources / cost and to
maximize the provision of package of services / care to cyclone victim....
6. The Shelter Cluster has formed a Strategic Advisory Group with the following members:
IFRC, UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM, DFID and Save the Children. The SAG is responsible for the
development of strategies for shelter interventions to ensure appropriate and equitable
shelter assistance across the cyclone-affected regions. Organisations and Local
organisations interested in participating were also invited to join....
7. An agreement has been reached between Sectoral clusters and the Early Recovery
cluster to institutionalize a focal point mechanism to improve coordination in
formulation and implementation of Early Recovery within individual clusters. Terms of
Reference for each focal point is under development. It is envisaged that these focal points
would form an Early Recovery Network....
8. There has been no update to the official figures for dead and missing since 16 May. 77,738
are reported dead and 55,917 missing.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-28
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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HIGHLIGHTS:
* The Country Director (CD) of the World Food Programme returned from Labutta and expressed
concern over gaps in the system?s ability to cover the delta and address the needs of those
affected....
* The Protection Cluster agreed that the co-leads (UNICEF and Save the Children) would work
closely with the Humanitarian Coordinator on child protection issues of concern, to be taken up
with relevant government officials. The Humanitarian Coordinator would be advocating family and
community-based care for separated and unaccompanied children, in preference to orphanages.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-29
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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HIGHLIGHTS:
* Permission for procurement of another 10,000 tons of rice was granted from Ministry of
Commerce on May 29. This is in addition to the previously permitted 10,000 tons of which 1,200
tons have been delivered to the delta. Furthermore, permission for procurement of 3,000 tons
pulses (chick peas) was granted from Ministry of Commerce on May 29 (in addition to 1,000 tons
being delivered at the moment)....
* As of 28 May, the Red Cross has reached over 153,000 beneficiaries, out which roughly
32,000 are located in Yangon Division, almost 120,000 in Ayeyarwady Division, and over 1,500 in
Mon State....
* MOH informed the Health Cluster that access to field for expatriate staff follows the normal
procedure in place before the cyclone, namely application to MOFA and MOH. This system has
been speeded up so that a response will be given to each application within days....
* The WASH, Food, Health and PCW clusters have identified cluster focal points at Sub-
Office level.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-05-30
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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HIGHLIGHTS:
* The World Health Organization and its Health Cluster partners in Myanmar have approved a
six-month US$28 million action plan to provide immediate health care for cyclone survivors, and
support longer-term efforts to rebuild the country?s ravaged health care system....
* WFP started a new project in Yangon Division which provides cash to 200?000 people severely
affected by the cyclone....
* One Logistics Cluster helicopter was able to fly to Labutta today for the first time, carrying 0.5
tonnes of high energy biscuits....
* WFP deployed its first international head of Sub-office for Labutta today. The Head of Sub-Office is
intended to stay in Labutta for 2 months....
* If funding is not forthcoming for WFP, the food pipeline will break by mid-July....
* The TCG met today for the second time. Issues of discussion on the agenda today were the terms
of reference for the PONJA and the schedule for the PONJA. The Group also addressed access,
procedures for visa extensions and helicopters. Clarification was also received from the GoUM on the
procedure for new NGOs coming into the country: they should apply to Embassies abroad, which
would then transmit the application to the Deputy Foreign Minister. The Humanitarian Coordinator
raised the issue of forced relocation? and expressed concern. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
assured the TCG he would address this issue....
* The orientation workshop for the Post Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA) started today. The
assessment is a unique endeavour between the 54 members from 18 ministries of the Government of
Myanmar together with cluster leads, ASEAN ERAT and members of the IASC. The findings of the
assessment would first be available at the end of the month.
Source/publisher:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date of publication:
2008-06-02
Date of entry/update:
2008-06-03
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