The Red Cross Red Crescent is increasingly worried about the health and wellbeing of people in Myanmar and fears the situation could deteriorate further if heavy rain forecast for the next few days falls on areas worst affected by Cyclone Nargis.
Speaking at a press conference held in Bangkok, Joe Lowry, spokesman for the International Federation, who has just returned from Yangon, warned that a further rise in floodwater would lead to more displacement and add to an already desperate situation.
“If the storm affects Myanmar, we could see the worst possible scenario,” he warned.
“Land in large parts of the country will already be saturated, and we fear that if floodwaters rise even further people will be forced to move again and put a significant strain on already stretched resources.”
Based with the International Federation delegation in Yangon, Lowry painted a worrying picture of conditions in the former capital. “Survivors displaced from their homes are sheltering in makeshift accommodation, or badly damaged schools and pagodas, where sanitation is extremely poor, and there is a lack of clean drinking water.
“The threats to public health are immense.”
There are already reports of malaria and real fears about the outbreak of serious gastrointestinal illnesses such as typhoid.
“A tremendous spirit of humanitarianism”
Despite the logistical challenges posed by a devastated infrastructure, Myanmar Red Cross volunteers are increasingly getting emergency relief through to those in desperate need, distributing tarpaulins, mosquito nets, and water purification tablets.
“They are doing a phenomenal job. Everyone there is working against the odds to get relief through, working from six in the morning until midnight,” said Lowry. “Volunteers have a tremendous spirit of humanitarianism, and they are our best hope right now. It is their local knowledge and expertise that is proving essential in our relief efforts.”
With basic health services severely limited, Red Cross first aid volunteers have also helped treat injuries inflicted during the cyclone. Many people are suffering the effects of their skin being ‘sandblasted’ by dirt blown by strong winds.
Lowry also spoke of the commitment and bravery of volunteers. He witnessed one team in Yangon pulling tarpaulin over a hospital which had lost its roof in the cyclone, and spoke of one volunteer who searched Yangon for a suitable blood donor as someone lay in hospital needing a blood transfusion. The intervention saved the person’s life.
The International Federation delegation has been in Yangon since 1993, and has worked with the Myanmar Red Cross since 2000 to build its disaster management capacity, training volunteers, renovating and modernizing 18 Red Cross warehouses, and helping to pre-position relief supplies.
While capacity is stretched and further international assistance required, the International Federation is increasingly seeing progress in its attempts to access Myanmar. Flights are now arriving every day with emergency relief items, and fifteen Red Cross Red Crescent disaster management experts have now joined the delegation in Yangon.
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From left to right: Joe Lowry and John Sparrow, spokesmen for the International Federation. During a press conference held in Bangkok, Joe Lowry, who has just returned from Yangon, warned that a further rise in floodwater would lead to more displacement and add to an already desperate situation. (p17637)
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With basic health services severely limited, Red Cross first aid volunteers have also helped treat injuries inflicted during the cyclone. Many people are suffering the effects of their skin being ‘sandblasted’ by dirt blown by strong winds. (p17636)
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Despite the logistical challenges posed by a devastated infrastructure, Myanmar Red Cross volunteers are increasingly getting emergency relief through to those in desperate need, distributing tarpaulins, mosquito nets, and water purification tablets. (p17638)
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