Published: 9 July 2008
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has today increased its Myanmar appeal to 73.9 million Swiss francs (USD 72.5 million / euro 45.9 million) to support a three year emergency and recovery programme for cyclone affected people.
As villagers struggle to rebuild lives ravaged by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady delta, the IFRC believes this disaster highlights fundamental humanitarian challenges.
“Hundreds of thousands of poor people lived precarious lives long before the cyclone hit them,” says Alistair Henley, head of the IFRC’s Asia Pacific Zone. “Nargis has left them weaker and more vulnerable than ever. We must ensure not only that they regain what they lost but have improved and safer lives in the future.”
Risk reduction and the strengthening of livelihoods are among the priorities of longer-term recovery plans contained in the revised emergency appeal.
Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) volunteers in affected areas continue to be on the frontline, providing relief assistance, shelter support, access to safe drinking water, first aid care and psychological support. In certain areas, the Red Cross staff and volunteers represent the only organization to have provided assistance to vulnerable communities.
As of July 8, the MRCS has delivered short-term emergency relief to more than 500,000 people in severely affected areas of Ayeyarwady Division and several others in Yangon Division. Some 2,500 tonnes of Red Cross relief goods have arrived into Yangon via air and sea.
Red Cross water teams are producing and delivering clean water from purification units in Labutta, Bogale, Mawlamyingyun and Dedaye, and cleaning polluted water sources such as wells and ponds. Meanwhile volunteers are intensifying community education for the prevention and control of disease.