As the total raised to the DEC Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal reaches £5 million, aid from DEC member agencies is getting through in increased amounts, but much more is desperately needed.
Sunday 11 May 2008
Three Red Cross planes arrived last night with shelter material which has been distributed by the Myanmar Red Cross. In total 220,000 people have received hygiene supplies, food and water purification tablets from local Red Cross staff.
Care International's emergency assessment teams have returned to Yangon from Myanmar's Irrawaddy delta region with reports of massive destruction.
"We're purchasing supplies in Yangon to ensure our distribution to the Irrawaddy delta of food and water happens immediately," says Dr Julia Newton-Howes, CARE International spokesperson. "It is essential that the UN and government authorities agree on an appropriate mechanism for the entry of staff and the receipt and distribution of goods," she stressed.
Merlin is on the ground now in some of the hardest to reach areas, doing everything they can to save lives. Carolyn Miller, Merlin's Chief Executive said: "It's vital that Merlin and other aid agencies on the ground are given the support needed to scale up our emergency operations. We must do everything we can to save lives."
Christian Aid partners are distributing water purification tablets, blankets and medicines to 100,000 people. Supplies are being sourced from within Burma, but this will become more difficult as time goes by.
"Supplies will run out unless more aid is allowed into the country," said Ray Hasan, Christian Aid's Burma expert. "Partners are telling us that there are outbreaks of disease already. There is no time to lose."
The Disasters Emergency Committee agencies are Action Aid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision.
Public donations will be used for immediate needs such as food, clean water, medicines and shelter. But the scale of the devastation is so immense that a huge relief and reconstruction effort will be needed over the coming months.