OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Myanmar: Cyclone Nargis
4 May, 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This situation report is based on information received from the UN 
Resident Coordinator's Office, Myanmar, UN agencies and media sources.

Situation

1. Category 3 Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 May. The cyclone made 
landfall in the Irrawaddy delta region, approximately 250 km southwest of 
Yangon, at around 16:00. The storm then tracked inland in an ENE 
direction, directly hitting the capital Yangon itself late the same night. 
Latest reports indicate that five areas have been affected: Ayeyarwady 
(Irrawaddy) Division, Yangon Division, Bago Division, Kayin (Karen) State, 
Kayah State and Mon State.

2. Detailed information on the impact has not been available due to downed 
communications and blocked roads. Information on the situation outside 
Yangon is even more limited, including in the southwest of the delta 
region, which is believed to be the worst-hit area and was affected both 
by strong winds and a sizable storm surge. The authorities have indicated 
that many villages in this area have been completely flattened. The 
intensity of the storm decreased significantly as it moved through Kayin 
State and towards the Thai border.

3. The cyclone has caused widespread devastation in Yangon. Winds of over 
190 km/hr tore down trees and power lines, while accompanying rain caused 
flooding in many areas. Telecommunications lines were cut. Buildings have 
been badly damaged throughout the city, and it expected that significant 
numbers have been left without adequate shelter. Electricity is unlikely 
to be restored for several days. Water supplies are also likely to be a 
major problem. Many roads remain impassable, either due to flooding or 
fallen debris and the airport has been closed until further notice.

4. The authorities have reported a total of 138 confirmed deaths. The 
numbers in need of assistance are expected to be sizable.

5. Urgent needs are expected to be plastic sheeting, water purification 
tablets, cooking sets, mosquito nets, emergency health kits and food. Fuel 
shortages have also already been reported. Determining the impact in areas 
outside Yangon has been even more difficult, though it can be assumed to 
be critical, with shelter and safe water being the principal immediate 
needs.

National Response

6. The Government has established an Emergency Committee headed by the 
Prime Minister. Five central and southern regions - Yangon, Ayeyarwady, 
Bago, Mon and Kayin states - have all been declared disaster areas. The 
authorities inform to have deployed military and police units for rescue, 
rehabilitation and cleanup operations in Yangon.

7. No formal request has yet been issued for international assistance, 
though there are indications that such assistance may be welcomed. UN 
support was offered to the Ministry of Social Welfare by the RC ai last 
week. The acting RC/HC a.i. met today with the Deputy Minister for Social 
Welfare to discuss possible support by the IASC partners in-country. 
Another meeting is scheduled for tomorrow.

International Response

8. OCHA is looking into the possibility of deploying an UNDAC team. UNOSAT 
has been activated. CRD has been in contact with the Permanent 
Representative to the UN who has indicated that he would keep in contact 
with OCHA for any further developments on his side.

9. UNICEF will deploy five assessment teams tomorrow (to Yangon, Pathein 
and Bago). The Myanmar Red Cross Society will send out five teams tomorrow 
(to Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Bago East, Bago West, Mon and Kayin). IFRC in 
Yangon was due to assess damage in the city today (4 May) and national 
volunteers are already gathering information.

10. The UNDMT and IASC partners in the country have established a cluster 
system as part of an ongoing process of contingency planning. They shared 
information last week on preparedness levels. WFP has 500 metric tonnes of 
food in Yangon, and is hoping to move further supplies, as well as offices 
in a box and possibly generators stocked in Cambodia. UNICEF and WHO also 
have pre-positioned stocks in place.

11. The IASC partners are due to meet at 10:00 am tomorrow (5 May). A 
meeting with donors in country will take place directly afterwards.

12. The UNCT in Myanmar is examining the need for a Flash Appeal and for 
an application for CERF funds. The extent to which funds are required will 
become clearer as more detailed information on the cyclone's impact 
becomes available.

13. The Regional IASC cluster leads will meet in Bangkok to discuss next 
steps. Telecoms Sans Frontiers is prepared to deploy from Bangkok.

For more information please contact:

OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Mr. Norwin Schaffer
Tel. +66 81 174 8335
Email: schafferer@un.org

OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Mr. Terje Skavdal
Tel. +66 81 916 1276
Email: skavdal@un.org

Asia and Pacific Desk:
Agnes Asekenye-Oonyu
Mob: 917-476-6164
Tel: 212-963-1773
Email: asekenye-oonyu@un.org

(NY) Mr. Ivan Lupis
Tel. +1 917 367 2056
Email: lupis@un.org

(GVA) Mr. Jean Verheyden
Tel. +41 79 509 8116
Email: verheyden@un.org

Press contact:
(NY) Ms. Stephanie Bunker
Tel. +1 917 367 5126

(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byers
Tel. +41 22 917 2653

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