Westport, Conn. (May 5, 2008) — Cyclone Nargis struck the southwest coast of Myanmar on Saturday, May 3, 2008 with wind gusts up to 120 mph. Officials on Monday said the death toll could reach 10,000 with 3,000 still missing.

Myanmar authorities have declared five regions, with an estimated total population of 24 million, to be in a state of emergency including Yangon (Rangoon) Division, Pegu Division, Mon State, Karen State and the Irrawaddy Division. This delta is considered to be the country's rice basket and there are growing concerns that the impact on food prices will be immediate.  

Save the Children's staff are reporting up to 100,000 children and their families are without shelter. Initial response activities include the distribution of 2 metric tons of food, plastic sheeting, water purification tablets and other non food items.

"We are deeply concerned for children and their families during this time," said Ned Olney, Save the Children's Vice President for International Humanitarian Response. "With humanitarian access already restricted in the country, and communication lines severely affected by the storm, enormous numbers of children and their families are exposed and vulnerable unless assistance is immediately provided. We are working tirelessly to assess the needs of children and their families and to deliver life-saving supplies."

Save the Children currently operates programs in all five of the affected regions, and has worked in Myanmar since 1995. As one of the largest non-governmental organizations at work in Myanmar, the agency implements programs focused on early childhood care and development, child survival and child protection. 

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