Aid reaches around 300,000 people affected by Cyclone Nargis

With 10 Red Cross flights carrying emergency relief supplies already landed and a further seven set to land before Friday, aid continues to arrive into Myanmar (Burma). DEC agencies, including Merlin, Save the Children, Red Cross, CARE International and World Vision have now reached around 300,000 people with vital supplies, and are asking for funds to continue this life saving work.

Igor Dmitryuk, Head of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) logistics unit in Kuala Lumpur, said:“These flights only represent the very beginning of what will be a massive logistical operation. We are working around the clock to identify other avenues into the country, but we are beginning to feel a rhythm.”

Brendan Gormley, DEC Chief Executive, said: “As aid channels are established, it is even more important that the funds are available to continue the flow of emergency relief supplies. Thousands in Burma are in desperate need of water, food and medical supplies. Please give to the DEC Appeal so we can meet the challenge.”

Teams from Save the Children have now reached over 100,000 people who were affected by the deadly Cyclone Nargis. Relief supplies have reached 80,000 people around Yangon and 20,000 in the Irrawaddy delta.

The Red Cross have reached 80,000 people with vital supplies. By Friday, the fifteen Red Cross flights are set to have delivered 130 tonnes of aid, including 20,000 mosquito nets, 2,450 tarpaulins and almost 15,000 jerry cans.

Merlin has distributed 600 gallons of chlorinated water to 12,500 people in two villages in Laputta township, which have no access to clean water and are completely isolated. Health staff have also treated hundreds of patients at the clinic in Laputta for burns and injuries caused by the cyclone and diarrhoea caused by contaminated water.

CARE International have already delivered water to 10,000 people and reached a further 3,000 with food. Plans are currently underway to bring in emergency supplies to assist a further 260,000 people.

World Vision are currently distributing aid to 78,000 people and are today setting up several ‘safe zones’ in Yangon for the hundreds of vulnerable children left orphaned by the crisis. The safe zones are supervised by local staff already in the area with the aim of bringing a sense of security and normality for affected children.