Myanmar: Storm - OCHA-07: 10-May-08
OCHA Situation Report No. 7
Myanmar: Cyclone Nargis
10 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, UNDAC, regional
humanitarian partners and media sources.
I. SITUATION IN MYANMAR
1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, making landfall in
the Ayeyarwady Division and directly hitting the country's largest city,
Yangon. 40 townships in Yangon Division and 7 townships in Ayeyarwady
Division remain on the Government's list of disaster areas.
2. Assessments have now been made in 38 townships, with response efforts
ongoing in a further 28. Teams have reported major damage in affected
areas, particularly in the low-lying delta region, where the Cyclone's
impact was compounded by a storm surge. The official death toll is now
22,997, with 42,119 missing and 1,430 injured. Unofficial figures are
considerably higher. Based on the original Government estimate of 975,858
persons affected three days after the disaster in the eight most seriously
hit townships, the UN now estimates that at least 1,500,000 people are
severely affected.
3. Food, water purification supplies and receptacles, sanitation
facilities for temporary camps, shelter materials, fuel, and essential
medicines and treatment are all critical needs. Some people are now
migrating outwards from the most affected areas in search of basic
necessities while others are stranded in areas of the delta without
drinking water, food or shelter. Damaged infrastructure and
communications, as well as flooding, pose challenges for relief efforts,
which may be exacerbated by heavy rainfall that has been forecast over the
next seven days (see annexed map).
4. Flights carrying relief items have been getting in to the country, and
the Government and humanitarian partners are reaching an increasing number
of affected persons. However, access for international humanitarian
personnel remains unresolved.
5. A constitutional referendum has been taking place in Myanmar today, in
areas other than those that remain on the Government's list of disaster
areas.
II. NATIONAL RESPONSE
6. The UN Country Team reports significant progress in clearing roadways,
and the piped water supply has been partially restored to some parts of
Yangon city. Helicopter relays of bilateral aid arriving at Yangon are
being made to Pathein, and two large barges have left Yangon for the
worst-affected areas. Bilateral aid has been received from several
countries.
7. The Ministry of Social Welfare Relief and Resettlement has agreed to
deploy UN national staff in support of national emergency relief efforts,
initially to four locations: Pathein, Labutta and Bogale and Yangon. The
liaison officers will work closely with the national Disaster Management
Teams and assist in coordination, planning and information sharing. These
national UN liaison officers will be physically co-located in Government
facilities. They will also be briefed by UNDAC and the UN country
coordination team on their terms of reference prior to deployment.
III. INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
8. The UN continues to consult closely with the Government about the need
for international support, which is available across all key priority
areas. The UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Ms. Catherine Bragg,
will arrive in the region next week. The UN and Myanmar's regional
partners continue consultations for issuance of Visas for international
humanitarian personnel. Thailand's Prime Minister has announced that he
will dispatch an envoy to Myanmar this weekend to discuss access for
international aid workers. A statement by the Singapore Ministry of
Foreign Affairs yesterday suggested that the Myanmar authorities
'establish a coordinating mechanism that could work with the international
community and aid agencies, to assess the damages and needs in the
affected areas, as well as facilitate in-country distribution of
humanitarian assistance, and entry and deployment of rescue and medical
personnel and equipment.'
9. A Flash Appeal seeking USD 187 was launched yesterday in New York,
seeking funding for projects across 12 areas. The Emergency Relief
Coordinator has announced that USD 20 million will be allocated
immediately from the CERF to projects from the Flash Appeal to help ensure
that the most urgent needs can be addressed quickly.
10. An UNDAC team is now present in Myanmar and is working with the office
of RC/HC a.i. to strengthen cluster coordination and information flow both
inside Myanmar, and between the Humanitarian Country Team and the broader
international community. An OSOCC has been set up and the team is working
closely with the Myanmar Information Management Unit (please see below for
contact details).
11. An OCHA chartered A300 plane with contributions from Norway and
Ireland will depart today at 8 UTC/GMT from the UN Warehouse in Brindisi
to arrive tomorrow at 6 UTC/GMT in Yangon. The plane carries 30 MT of
water and sanitation, shelter, and NFI stocks which will be confined to
the RC/HC a.i. for distribution by partners on the ground.
Coordinated In-Country Response
12. The UNCT continued its consultations with the Government on issues of
relief aid arriving into Myanmar. All WFP and WHO cargo has now been
cleared and handed to the respective agencies for distribution. The RC/HC
and Logistics Cluster Lead a.i. have received guidance on how relief items
can be brought into the country. Please refer to Logistics Cluster report
section.
13. An International NGO Forum was held on 10 May 2008. It was highlighted
that delivery of aid will most likely be facilitated through national
NGOs, CBOs and community leaders. In order to improve the capacities of
national and local NGOs and CBOs, a resource centre will be set up by
international NGOs in Yangon with the aim of providing information, tools,
training and technical assistance. Further details will be available in
the course of the week. A forum with national and local NGOs is planned
for Wednesday, 14 May 2008.
Food Assistance
14. WFP reports that 77 MT of food relief were provided to 13,400 people
in Yangon yesterday. This was achieved in partnership with AMI, ACT, WVI,
AZG and WFP's own teams. A total of 160 MT of WFP food aid has now been
distributed since the disaster, with 24,000 beneficiaries reached. Another
37 MT of HEB are due to arrive by air today (10 May), and distribution of
stocks already in the country will continue.
Total food Distribution in Stocks recently Agencies active
distributed to date last 24 hours arrived/arriving in cluster
(total (location)
beneficiaries)
160MT (24,000) 72.6MT to 2 shipments of AMI, ACTR,
13,400 HEB (total 38MT) WVI, AZG, WFP
beneficiaries landed yesterday.
in Yangon Shipments have
and Ayeyarwady now been cleared
and handed to WFP
for distribution.
3 flights due
today (2 charters,
one commercial)
with food (37MT
HEB) and support
equipment.
15. WFP is in the process of establishing sub-offices in Labutta, Bogale
and Mawlamyinegyun. An office building has been identified in Labutta (to
be shared with other agencies). Construction of two temporary warehouses
began yesterday (capacity of 400 MT; one for food, the other for nonfood
items for other agencies).
16. Concerns about security of trucks delivering supplies are reported to
have eased.
17. Food is available for sale around Pathein, to the north of the
most-affected areas. Cash payments could be an alternative to food
distribution.
18. The Food Cluster will draft a joint cluster response plan for the next
6 months. The process will be led by WFP, in cooperation with several
major Cluster members.
Nutrition
19. WFP, UNICEF, the Health Ministry's National Nutrition Centre and
partners are carrying out nutrition surveys in Ayeyarwady Division. Helen
Keller International will be providing additional measuring equipment in
the coming weeks.
20. UNICEF is also working on distribution of worming tablets and vitamin
A tablets.
Logistics
21. All actors who are planning to deliver assistance through Yangon
International Airport have been directed to obtain clearance from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Flight plans and a detailed description of the type of plane, list of
items/supplies and other details need to be submitted to U Maung Myint,
Deputy Minister, MOFA Fax: +9567412396.
- The Consular and Legal Affairs Dept of MOFA Mr. U Kyaw Tun Oo
contactable on +9567412063, should also be informed.
22. A flight carrying WFP and WHO cargo arrived yesterday morning (9 May).
A second flight from Bangkok, delayed due to bad weather on 8 May, also
arrived yesterday. WFP content of the two flights has been cleared by the
Government for further distribution. Two further WFP flights and a
commercial flight carrying WFP goods were due to land today, carrying a
total of 37 MT of HEB and support equipment.
23. The Logistics Cluster is seeking nearly USD 50 million in the Flash
Appeal, to run a common and comprehensive logistics service for NGOs and
agencies in-country. The Cluster lead has confirmed that the Cluster aims
to provide whatever logistics assistance is required by partners. The
establishment of a staging area in the region is a key priority at
present, and discussions are ongoing with Governments in the region so
that this can be arranged as soon as possible. Centralised hubs would also
be set up in-country. Air assets, boats and road transportation would all
be made available, as will warehousing (both temporary and permanent),
tracking systems and the staff required to run the operation.
24. UNJLC will play a key part in the running of the cluster. It will
determine the loading order of cargo. The Special Operation foresees UNJLC
staff operating in each of the centralised logistics hubs in-country.
25. TOTAL has offered to donate diesel and Jet AI fuel for use in country.
It has been confirmed that a good fuel supply is now becoming available.
26. The Logistics Cluster is meeting at the regional level, and convened
its second meeting today (10 May). Regular updates are available on the
website of the Global Logistics Cluster (
http://www.logcluster.org/mm08a).
Emergency Telecommunications
27. A global Emergency Telecommunications Cluster teleconference was
convened on 9 May. A HF base is now operational in Yangon, for use by the
entire humanitarian community. Details on Callsign/Selcall and frequencies
will be distributed on the ETC cluster quickplace website and shared
in-county at the next Yangon cluster meeting. A VHF repeater is installed
in UN House, Yangon, and operational testing is ongoing. The Cluster's
budgets have been finalised and presented to the cluster.
Watsan
28. UNICEF has requested technical support from the regional level to deal
with salinity and contamination of water sources, and is working with
Norwegian Church Aid and the Ministry of Social Welfare to move materials
for mobile water treatment plants into the country. PSI-Myanmar's chlorine
factory is now up and running. PSI has distributed 3,600 litres of
WaterGuard purification liquid (enough for 3.72 million litres of drinking
water), with production ongoing.
29. Malteser International is currently providing relief in Dawbon,
Htantabin, Thongwa townships in Yangon, and in Labutta township in
Ayeyarwady. As of 9 May, Malteser has distributed essential drugs, oral
rehydration salts (ORS) and water purification supplies for 45,000 people
or 7,500 households (PSI), mosquito nets (from UNICEF), and plastic
sheeting (Malteser and UNHCR). A team of 8 staff will depart for Labutta
on 11 May, with 2 vehicles and 1 truck taking essential drugs, ORS,
mosquito nets, fuel, generators, food and plastic sheeting. WASH
interventions are planned, in coordination with Merlin to avoid
duplications. Malteser also plans to redeploy its boat from Sittwe in
Rakine State, which could carry another 10 MT of relief items (food,
mosquito nets, fuel).
Agriculture
30. FAO as cluster lead has continued to source necessary inputs and will
be working closely with the Logistics Cluster in this regard. In depth
assessments get underway today (10 May). FAO is in close collaboration
with the relevant Government Ministries. It will make use of its own staff
incountry for the assessments and awaits clarification on whether
international staff will be able to move outside Yangon.
Health
31. WHO has received reports from the delta that have identified high
numbers of trauma patients. It has deployed emergency health kits to treat
injured patients in response to a request from the Ministry of Health.
Hospitals have been providing tetanus vaccination. On 3 May, Labutta
Hospital reported treating 20 trauma patients, with the number treated
each day rising to reach 482 on 7 May.
32. The Myanmar Government is working in close partnership with WHO in the
Health Cluster. The WHO Country Representative will meet with Health
Ministry officials today and the Deputy DG has been appointed as a focal
point for the Cluster. A health surveillance form developed by WHO has now
been approved by the Ministry and is being translated and shared with
INGOs. WHO has received guarantees that its shipments will be able to be
passed directly to its own Regional Surveillance Officers (who are Myanmar
nationals). The Government has set up a technical office in Yangon General
Hospital. International staff has so far been unable to travel to affected
areas.
33. The Cluster is meeting at both the regional and country levels. 22
agencies were present at yesterday's meeting in-country.
34. There have to date been no reports of malaria outbreaks. Diarrheic
diseases have been reported, however. 104 cases of diarrhoea and 36 cases
of dysentery have been reported in Yangon. Early UNICEF estimates indicate
that 20% of children in the most-affected areas are suffering from
diarrhoea.
35. WHO dispatched 30,000 surgical masks and 30,000 pairs of gloves to the
affected areas in Bogalay and Labutta through UNICEF trucks on 10 May
2008. The supplies will be used for dead body collection and by health
workers at health facilities in the affected areas.
36. Drugs requested by the Ministry of Health were air freighted by the
WHO Regional Office and supplied to Central Medical Stores Depot for
further distribution to the affected areas.
37. Eight International Health kits donated by the Government of Italy
arrived in Yangon on 9 May and are currently being cleared at the airport
. They will be sent by WHO to affected areas. 38. Daily health meetings
are held in Pathein. Any teams going to the field are requested to try to
meet the Township Medical Officer and the Divisional Health Director.
39. WHO Headquarters Health Action in Crises has deployed an emergency
Public Health expert who is already functional in the WHO team and Health
Cluster.
40. The Health Cluster is also working to ensure provision of HIV
services.
41. WHO is in the process of coordinating and receiving advice from a
considerable number of international expert health teams that have come
forward to offer assistance.
Education
42. Save the Children (SCUK) hosted a cluster meeting yesterday (9 May) to
assess needs and gaps, and to support the ongoing work of UNICEF.
43. UNICEF recently replenished its stocks of school kits and has a good
supply already in Myanmar, ready for distribution. Access to affected
populations is expected to remain good, provided logistics support is
available, thanks to the presence of a significant number of staff in the
country.
Shelter
44. It has been confirmed at the headquarters level that IFRC will lead
the Shelter Cluster in-country, with support from UNHCR.
45. UNHCR has been authorised to transport shelter materials including
plastic sheeting and tents across the Mae Sot - Myawaddy border crossing.
Two trucks crossed the border this afternoon (10 May).
46. An airlift of shelter supplies from EMERCOM (Russia) is scheduled to
arrive in Yangon today (10 May). EMERCOM is donating 135 large tents (70 x
30 person and 65 x 10 person) which combined can provide shelter for 2,700
persons, and 2,000 blankets.
47. The NGO Shelterbox donated 100 shelters in a box kits to the Myanmar
Fire Brigade for distribution to affected families. Each kit provides
shelter and facilities for 10 persons. A shipment of 700 more kits is
expected tomorrow (11 May).
Protection of Children and Women
48. UNICEF reports that there are 1,889 children living in 33 camps in
Labutta, of whom 558 are living with extended family members and 24 are
unaccompanied children living with families they do not know. Some of
these children have been relocated to Myaungmya, except for the 24
unaccompanied children. UNICEF and MRCS are regularly monitoring the 24
unaccompanied children to ensure that their care and protection needs are
met. UNICEF is also trying to help separated children to find parents. One
UNICEF project officer has been sent to Myaungmya to start the
identification process of separated children and set up child-friendly
services. Five childfriendly spaces have been set up so far in 4 camps in
Labutta, meeting the needs of 350-400 children.
49. UNICEF has distributed standard inter-agency guiding principles on the
protection of unaccompanied and separated children, and prevention abuse
and exploitation, to ensure that partners follow similar approaches in the
response to the disaster.
50. Partners will use a common form for family tracing, reunification and
reintegration, and will provide dry snacks, water and bananas when working
with children.
51. The code of conduct for the prevention of sexual abuse and
exploitation will be translated and distributed to humanitarian relief
workers.
52. Factsheets with practical points for working with children and child
protection in emergencies will be distributed.
53. As with other issues, the situation of vulnerable and separated
children is much worse in Ayeyarwady than Yangon Division.
Early recovery
54. Information flow between field offices and the country office is
improving. The results of preliminary assessment surveys will be shared
shortly.
Updates from individual agencies
55. The MRCS reported that yesterday (9 May) it was able to distribute aid
supplies in Yangon Division including 1,900 units of pure water, 1,130
jerry cans, 29,000 water purification tablets, 2,376 packets of Ovaltine
and 1,450 units of soap. In Mon State it distributed 318 family kits. No
distribution reports have yet been received from Ayeyarwady Division. IFRC
now reports that consignments of jerry cans, tarpaulins and mosquito nets
are being flown in from Kuala Lumpur to be handed over to the MRCS on a
regular basis.
56. SCUK estimates that by today (10 May) it will have reached 72,000
individuals across four townships around Yangon (Shwepyithar,
Thingangkuun, Insein and North Okkalapa). An estimated 24,000 of the
beneficiaries are children under 12 years of age. SCUK intends to extend
its coverage to 6 additional townships in the area by next week.
57. SCUK has a boat leaving from Pathein today (10 May) heading for the
south western tip of the delta, and is trying to secure an additional boat
to carry fresh water to the area.
58. SCUK is working with SCUS to fly health and household kits from
Sumatra. SCUK continues to redeploy more staff from non-affected areas to
increase the response in both Yangon and the delta.
59. UNICEF has continued to extend the coverage of rapid assessments in
affected areas, jointly with MRCS. Two trucks have been arranged for MRCS
to assist their logistics. Assessments are now taking place in 21 of 47
affected townships in Yangon and Ayeyarwady Divisions. Visits to township
hospitals have been scaled up, and teams are also assessing the situation
in temporary relief camps. The following information on camps in the delta
region has been shared at the regional level:
Bogale 20,000 people in 50 camps
Pyapon 16,000 people in 31 camps. In one of the camps, five
latrines are shared by 3,500 people
Labutta 150,000 people in 117 camps
Mawlamayinegyun 20,000 people in 20 camps, 50% of villages destroyed
60. The Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit (JEU), in collaboration with the
Swedish authorities, has made available waste management experts who are
in a position to provide remote support to national authorities, on
managing acute waste and debris issues that could pose immediate and
longer-term risks to water quality, human health and livelihoods. An
environmental expert representing the Swedish Rescue Services Agency
(SRSA) has arrived in Bangkok following a request made by the JEU. The JEU
also has a number of environmental emergency experts on standby for
deployment.
61. UNDP is the only agency that has working infrastructure in some of the
most severely affected townships. It has sent rotating teams of national
staff to work with and relieve its field staff in four of the affected
townships - Bogalay, Kyaiklat, Labutta and Mawlamyinegyun - where its
Microfinance and Integrated Community Development Projects operate. The
teams are making assessments of the disaster, delivering small relief
items and providing support to the population.
62. An IRC Emergency Officer arrived in Yangon yesterday (9 May). IRC
hopes to start up projects in WASH, Health and Shelter. The Emergency
Officer is working with national staff members to recruit additional staff
and to apply for registration of IRC programmes in Myanmar.
63. SC and Care International are working together to stock a plane in
Bangkok with family kits for 100,000 people, and with SC USA to fly health
kits and household kits from Sumatra.
64. MSF is continuing to offer emergency assistance to victims. It is
operating south from Pathein, and has reached the south western tip of the
delta. In addition to distributing food and plastic sheeting, and seeking
to support the provision of safe drinking water on both sides of the
Pathein River, MSF medical staff are offering consultations for people
wounded during the Cyclone.
65. In Dala and Twantay, south of Yangon, MSF teams reported 80%
destruction of houses in certain pockets and up to one meter of flood
waters. It has distributed food rations, carried out medical consultations
and rehabilitated latrines, wells and water pumps. Other teams are
providing food and medical care in Bogale. It is expecting a flight with
relief supplies to arrive from Yangon this evening (10 May).
Coordination at the regional level
66. ASEAN Secretariat representative, Mr Andrew Naslas, has arrived in
Yangon. He will be working closely with the UNDAC team and the UN Disaster
Coordination Centre.
Update on Security Situation
67. Security in most affected areas is a concern. The UN is still in Phase
1, and no change to this is foreseen.
Specialist teams on standby
68. So far, 63 teams from a range of different countries have offered
their support and are on standby in different parts of the world. Out of
these 63 teams, 14 are specialized in conducting assessments, 4 are
coordination teams, 6 specialized on logistics, 14 on urban search and
rescue, 12 are health/medical teams, 7 water and sanitation teams, and the
rest consist of specialists in other areas of relief assistance. Update on
Financial Pledges
69. For updated information on financial contributions, please refer to
the OCHA Financial Tracking System website: http://reliefweb.int/fts/.
Donors are encouraged to verify contributions and inform
OCHA Financial Tracking System (FTS) of corrections/additions/values to
this table. The direct email address is: fts@reliefweb.int.
Bilateral aid delivered or pledged (as recorded in Bangkok)
Country/Organisation/Company Type of assistance
Delivered:
Bangladesh Clothing and other supplies
China Food, relief supplies
Italy Relief goods worth 123.000 EUR
India Medicine, tents
Japan/JICA Relief goods worth 570.000 USD
Laos Food and Water
Republic of Korea 100.000 USD worth of relief
goods as an initial response
Russian Federation 2 aircraft with 40 tons of
relief goods worth slightly
over 2 million USD, arriving
on 9 and 11 May respectively
Singapore Medical supplies
Thailand 3 military aircraft with relief
goods
Being dispatched/on stand-by:
Brazil Medical items
Denmark 3 million water purification
tablets
Greece 1 aircraft with medical and
other relief supplies 200.000
USD - Medical supplies worth
40.000 EUR
India 2 Naval ships with relief and
medical supplies
Indonesia USD 1 million in relief goods
Ireland Contribution to OCHA relief flight
Italy Relief goods worth 165'000 EUR
Norway Contribution to OCHA relief flight
Norway (NOREPS) Emergency items
Qatar Relief items (1 aircraft)
Spain 1 aircraft with relief items
Global Refuge International (US) Several hundred thousand USD in
relief goods and medical supplies
Corporate (as recorded at Bangkok level):
Mer Afloat Naval ships/equipment available
(not clear whether free or not)
TOTAL Diesel and Jet A Fuel
For more information please contact:
UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team
Dr. Jemilah Mahmood
Tel. +95 (0)1 542910, +95 (0)1 542917,
+95 (0)1 544187, Ext. 107
Email: undacmyanmar@gmail.com
Contact for local media inquiries:
United Nations Information Centres
Mr. Aye Win
Tel. +95 (0)1 577057
Tel. (cell) +95 (0)9 5123 952
International relief focal point:
Mr. Winston Chang
Tel. +4179 469 8589
Email: changw@un.org
General enquiries:
OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Email: ocha-roap@un.org
OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Mr. Norwin Schafferer
Tel. +66 81174 8335
Email: schafferer@un.org
OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Mr. Sebastian Rhodes Stampa
Tel. +66 89204 2721
Email: rhodesstampa@un.org
Asia and Pacific Desk
Agnes Asekenye-Oonyu
Mob: +1 917 476 6164
Tel: 212-963-1773
Email: asekenye-oonyu@un.org
Myanmar Desk
(NY) Mr. Ivan Lupis
Tel. +1 917 367 2056
Bberry +1 917 640 3819
Email: lupis@un.org
UNOSAT produced satellite image derived maps and corresponding statistical
information on the floods following Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar, are available
on VirtualOSOCC/GDACS and: http://www.unosat.org/asp/prod_free.asp?id=66
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Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
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Center for International web: www.cidi.org
Disaster Information listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
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Myanmar: Cyclone Nargis www.cidi.org/incident/myanmar-08e