Myanmar (Burma) Update - 2.6.08

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Almost a month after the cyclone that devastated much of the Burmese Irrawaddy Delta and despite the efforts of local and international agencies, not even half of those requiring assistance have been reached. The official death toll has reached nearly 78,000 with close to 56,000 still missing. Over two million have been affected and remain at risk of hunger and disease.

There is a fear among agencies that once news channels stop featuring the cyclone, aid will dry up and access will close. WJR’s partners have not, yet, had trouble reaching those in need and have successfully been providing emergency relief to over 70,000 people. Aid is still being purchased locally and, unusually for disaster situations, almost four weeks on we are still very much focussing on emergency relief rather than reconstruction.

Thousands are living in temporary camps where WJR’s partners are distributing mosquito nets, blankets, food, clean water, medication etc. Others, however, have yet to be reached and remain at risk. WJR’s partners, along with other agencies, are doing their best to get aid to these people. Fields and paddies remain either under water or devastated by salt water, making replanting an impossible task. The looming concern is that if the crop is not replanted by June, there will be little chance of a further harvest this year, which will add to the problems in the region.