Source: Office of the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Myanmar
Date: 02 Nov 2010
Office of the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar
UN agencies and international and national non-governmental organizations are working with authorities in Myanmar to provide aid to people affected by Cyclone Giri, which struck on 22 October. Over 200,000 people in Rakhine State are in need of immediate relief assistance and early recovery support.
Yangon, 2 November 2010 --- Members of the humanitarian community in Myanmar are appealing for increased support from donors, as they are scaling-up their support to the people affected by Cyclone Giri, which has caused loss of life and severe damage in Myanmar's Rakhine State.
According to Government estimates, at least 71,000 people remain homeless and at least 15,000 houses are completely destroyed, with a total of approximately 200,000 people affected in four townships alone – Minbya, Pauktaw, Myebon and Kyaukpyu.
"Our priority right now is to reach all people in need with relief assistance in close coordination with the Government, regional authorities and the humanitarian organizations on the ground, and at the same time start prepare for the substantial input needed over time to rebuild communities," said Bishow Parajuli, the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar, who led a UN-delegation composed of the UNHCR Representative, OCHA and UNDP to Rakhine State on 28-30 October. The delegation met with Government Ministers and other key actors present in the region and briefly visited some of the affected areas.
Recent assessments show that approximately 17,500 acres of agricultural lands have been destroyed, while a large number of dykes have been damaged. In addition to the massive destruction of houses caused by the cyclone, a total of 279 primary schools, 24 middle schools and 15 high schools were either damaged or destroyed. Substantial flooding has also contaminated numerous water sources.
The Government, national and international NGOs and several UN agencies are distributing relief items and providing emergency medical care in the most affected townships. To ensure a coordinated response from the humanitarian community, the cluster approach is being activated for some priority sectors, including Food, Emergency Shelter, Water & Sanitation (WASH), Health, Education, Livelihoods, Vulnerability and Logistics.
As of 2 November, the World Food Programme (WFP) has dispatched a total of 640 MTs of rice to cover 78,000 people in four townships for one month. Additional 600 MTs are in route from Yangon to the affected areas. UNICEF, FAO, UNDP, UNHCR, WHO and UNFPA, in additional to several international and national NGOs, are also operational in the region, delivering various relief supplies and assessing humanitarian needs. According to initial estimates, at least 200,000 people could be in need of various urgent humanitarian assistance.
"While the impact of Cyclone Giri is very severe, fortunately the geographical area of impact is quite limited and can be accessed without too much difficulty. Given that the authorities have welcomed assistance and given that a number of organizations are already operational in the area, it is quite possible to respond to the needs of the affected population effectively and swiftly," said Parajuli.
However, he also stressed the need for the Government to increase facilitation and access for international humanitarian experts and increase awareness of the effect of the cyclone.
According the Government, total cost of damage in the affected townships in Rakhine State are estimated to be more than 18 million Myanmar Kyats (approximately 15 million US$). These numbers are likely to climb as more assessment teams report back from all affected areas.
To date, the U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance has provided USD 100,000 in emergency assistance, which will be channeled through INGO's working in the affected areas. The United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DfID) has also announced a contribution of USD 750,000 to support relief efforts carried out by the humanitarian community in Myanmar.
"The main challenge will remain raising funds. We strongly appeal for more support from the international donor community, which will enable us to respond effectively to the severe damage caused by the cyclone," said Parajuli.
For more information, please contact:
The United Nations in Myanmar
Esben Q. Harboe
Special Assistant to the UN RC/HC
Tel: +95 9 5074853, esben.harboe@undp.org
Aye Win
National Information Officer, UNIC
Tel: +95 9 5123952, aye.win@undp.org
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