Oxfam Responds to Deadly Cyclone in Myanmar

Posted: 9 May 2008

Oxfam commits $800,000 in emergency assistance to help the devastated nation.

The devastating cyclone which hit Myanmar’s delta region early Saturday, May 3, has left 63,000 people dead or missing, according to preliminary reports. The United Nations estimates the storm has severely affected 1.5 million other people.

Oxfam is committed to helping non-governmental organizations meet immediate needs in Myanmar through a mixture of funding, technical expertise and equipment where required.

An estimated 24 million people—nearly half the country’s total population—live in areas struck by the disaster. When Cyclone Nargis slammed into the Irrawaddy delta it whipped up a massive storm surge reportedly 12 feet high. Reuters is reporting that Nargis is the most devastating cyclone Asia has seen since the 1991 storm that killed 143,000 people in Bangladesh.

“The aid effort faces huge challenges,” said Sarah Ireland, an Oxfam East Asia regional director. “Communications are down in the cyclone-hit areas, roads have been washed away, and getting aid to people will be very difficult. The international community needs to be quick to respond to this crisis and to ensure the needs of those most affected are met.”

Currently Oxfam does not run operational programs in the country. We are responding to the crisis through a handful of partner organizations. For instance, one of our partners is now providing rice to people assembled in spontaneous camps and it is readying supplies of medicine, water purifiers, and instant noodles for shipment. It is also providing rescue boats to bring stranded people in remote areas to safety. Elsewhere, partners have been helping survivors by distributing basic household goods including blankets and soap as well as personal items and clothing.

We are also providing funds to other international aid groups already established within Myanmar, and we have a team of four public health engineers on standby in Bangkok.

Additionally, we are exploring other options for offering assistance including assigning our staff members to work with United Nations agencies.

You can help our effort by making a donation to the Myanmar Cyclone Relief and Rehabilitation Fund.