Myanmar cyclone
We have been helping those worst-affected by Cyclone Giri, which swept across western Myanmar last October.
A tarpauline distribution carried out by Save the Children for famillies to rebuild their homes, Myanmar. Cyclone Giri, a category 4 cyclone, struck western Myanmar (Burma) overnight on 22 October 2010, with gusts of up to 110 miles per hour [Save the Children]
What happened?
A category-four cyclone slammed into an isolated part of western Myanmar (Burma), 250 miles northwest of Yangon, the country’s primary city, with wind speeds of up to 110 miles per hour. It tore up roads, knocked out telephone lines and completely destroyed over 20,000 houses.
It’s one of the strongest storms to hit the country since Cyclone Nargis tore across the southern coast in 2008. Infrastructure such as roads, airports and communications systems were seriously damaged and over 100,000 people were left homeless.
What we are doing
Save the Children has had a permanent presence in Myanmar since 1995 - with 60 staff working in the country we were able to respond within 24 hours, undertaking assessments and distributing emergency support
- We assisted 70,000 people through the provision of emergency hygiene kits and provided a supply of continuous drinking water to 7,300 people with no other water source.
- We reached 53,000 people with food distributions for the two months that followed the cyclone.
- We also provided tarpaulins, mosquito nets, blankets, kitchen sets and fuel to 135,000 people.
- We led the infant feeding response, providing support to mothers of young children at risk of malnutrition. Along side training to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, infant feeding support kits were distributed.
- 20 child friendly spaces were set up and attended by 3,000 children. These spaces provide children with a protected environment in which to play, socialize, learn and express themselves as they rebuild their lives and regain a sense of normality.
- We helped 5,300 children to get back into school, a critical step in the process of recovery following an emergency.
How you can help
Thank you to everyone who supported our appeal.
If you would like to support our work in emergencies please donate to our Children's Emergency Fund, which allows us to respond quickly when disaster strikes and has been vital to us in our emergency response in Myanmar.