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Save the Children Responds to Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar
Despite New Storm Threat, Save the Children Continues Life-Saving Relief Efforts in Myanmar
Westport, Conn. (May 14, 2008) — As Save the Children continues to bring lifesaving aid to children and families left homeless by Cyclone Nagris, the agency's 500 relief workers in Myanmar are now bracing for a second major storm that could complicate aid efforts.
The United Nations' weather center reported Wednesday that it is tracking a nascent tropical storm off the coast of Myanmar that could become a cyclone within the next 24 hours.
Over the last several days, rain and wind not related to the new storm have added to the misery of displaced people, about half of them living in makeshift shelters. It also has added to the dangers of water travel for Save the Children staff and has postponed the agency's launch of a mobile health clinic.
Despite these challenges, Save the Children has reached more than 100,000 survivors, including about 40,000 children, in storm-ravaged areas of Myanmar's delta region, both by truck and boat, with food, water and essential materials for cooking and shelter.
Andrew Kirkwood, country director for Myanmar, said: "We are moving as quickly as we possibly can and bringing shelter materials to the people of the Delta and around Yangon — at the same time taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of our staff. However we worry that if a storm is coming, it will compound the hardships faced by children and their families. It also will increase the likelihood of more children being separated from their parents."
Earlier this week, Save the Children announced that its first plane load of relief supplies had arrived in Myanmar, passed inspection by the government and is now in the hands of Save the Children staffers for distribution in the hardest hit areas of the delta region. New supplies include tents, water purification straws, and other life-saving materials. For the past ten days, Save the Children has been purchasing supplies within Myanmar to supplement its massive relief effort.
Kirkwood said that the agency's first relief boat reached the delta area of Pyin Kayaing on Sunday. The team distributed rice, water and oral-rehydration solution to 9,400 people, including 2,350 children under 12, in 13 villages. Families in this area are staying in crowded monasteries living in makeshift shelters made from plastic sheeting.
While relief efforts are expanding, staff members warn that clean water remains in short supply and many communities are still isolated and without help. The survival of tens of thousands of children and their families remains in doubt.
"Time is of the essence, and we must assist as many people as possible in the coming days," said Ned Olney, Save the Children's vice president for international humanitarian response. "Survivors are facing severe threats to their health — from waterborne disease, malaria, from sleeping out in the open and from having to go so many days with little food and water. Already we are seeing numerous cases of diarrhea, a major killer of young children."
Throughout the delta region, many villages have been devastated, with thousands of homes destroyed, and more than 3,000 schools damaged. The official death toll continues to rise, and more than 1 million people are homeless. The low-lying Irawaddy Delta suffered the effects of a sizable storm surge and many areas remain underwater, hampering relief efforts. Much of the delta is reachable only by boat.
"Save the Children is mobilizing its staff — many of whom have also had their homes damaged — to reach vulnerable children and families in the five hardest-hit districts," said Olney. "Shelter materials, clean water, mosquito nets and emergency health kits are critical needs at this time."
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 already, the cost of food has doubled in many markets.
"The current lack of clean water will directly impact the health of children and their parents," said Olney. "And standing water only increases the possibility of an outbreak of waterborne illness. We need to move aid quickly to alleviate current hardships and mitigate the potential for a greater crisis."
Save the Children has raised more than $3 million in donations and pledges for its response to the cyclone, which struck Myanmar's southwestern coast early on Saturday, May 3. Save the Children worldwide is seeking $10 million in donations for its relief efforts.
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 nongovernmental organizations at work in Myanmar, the agency implements programs focused on early childhood care and development, child survival and child protection. All staff members are safe and accounted for, although their homes and families have been affected.
Learn more about Save the Children's response to Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. Donate now to support Save the Children's immediate and long-term response to the children and families affected by Cyclone Nargis.
