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| Myanmar: Thousands of Red Cross volunteers on the ground as International Federation launches emergency appeal 6 May 2008 As the full extent of the devastation wrought by Cyclone Nargis becomes clearer, thousands of Myanmar Red Cross volunteers are working around the clock to reach and support those affected by the ferocious storm. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched a preliminary emergency appeal for 6.29 million Swiss francs (USD 5.9 million/€ 3.86 million). The appeal will support those efforts already underway to reach affected communities with emergency shelter kits, water, mosquito nets and other items. “This will be very much a preliminary emergency appeal, and we expect this figure and the operation to be revised as more information comes to hand,” explained Christine South, the International Federation’ operations coordinator for Asia Pacific. Latest official figures suggest that more than 22,000 people lost their lives in the storm that made landfall on Friday 2 May. This figure would make Nargis the world’s deadliest storm since 1991. “The scale of this disaster really can’t be underestimated,” said Ms South. “Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their homes and possessions as well as their livelihoods.” Over the past days, Red Cross volunteers have been distributing basic relief items such as tarpaulins, mosquito nets, potable water and water purification tablets. Teams of volunteers have also been through some of the worst affected areas along the Irrawaddy delta, assessing damage and needs of communities, including health needs. “More than 1 million people may be displaced because of the storm,” added John Sparrow, the International Federation’s spokesman for the operation in Kuala Lumpur. Reports from the International Federation’s delegation in Myanmar suggest extensive devastation across the affected region. In some affected villages along the Irrawaddy river delta, 95 per cent of houses have been destroyed. Whilst in Yangon, access to running water and electricity has been severely limited. Funds will also support the deployment of resources and personnel to Myanmar. The International Federation has already sent its regional disaster management coordinator to the country and plans are underway to send an initial consignment of emergency shelter kits by plane from Kuala Lumpur tomorrow. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Matt Cochrane, media officer (Geneva) Tel: + 41 79 308 98 04 Eric Porterfield, media officer (Geneva) Tel: + 41 79 308 98 30 Media unit duty phone (Geneva) Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81 Donate online The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 186 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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