OCHA Situation Report No. 10
Myanmar: Cyclone Nargis
14 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 
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. Assessment teams have reported major damage in affected areas, 
particularly the low-lying delta region, where the Cyclone's impact was 
compounded by a storm surge. The official death toll now stands at 34,273, 
with 27,836 missing. Unofficial estimates are considerably higher. Based 
on the original Government figure of 975,858 persons affected three days 
after the disaster in the eight most seriously hit townships, the UN now 
estimates that between 1.6 and 2.5 million people are severely affected.

3. 22 agencies were undertaking assessments in 58 townships as of 13 May 
2008. Priority townships for further assessments (where gaps in 
information have been identified) are Dedaye, Pyapon, Kyaiklat, 
Mawlamyinegyun, Wakema, and the southern part of Bogale. These same areas 
are also currently assessed as underserved by relief responses.

4. Food, shelter, medical supplies and water are all critical needs. The 
early rehabilitation of the agricultural sector has also been identified 
as being crucial, as the affected area is central to Myanmar's rice 
industry. People have been migrating outwards from the most affected areas 
in search of basic necessities. Early estimates suggest that temporary 
settlements may now be sheltering over 550,000 people in Ayeyarwady and 
Yangon Divisions. Damaged infrastructure and communications, as well as 
flooding, pose serious logistical challenges for relief efforts. Weather 
reports for affected areas in the coming days continue to be unfavourable, 
with heavy rainfall predicted.

5. 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, the levels of aid getting in to the country 
remain far below what is required to meet the needs on the ground. There 
is also concern that a logistical bottleneck may be developing in Yangon.

II. NATIONAL RESPONSE

6. No updates.

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: +1 212-963-1773
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

Press Contact in NY:
Stephanie Bunker
Tel: +1 917 476 6164
Email: bunker@un.org

Press Contact in Geneva:
Elizabeth Byrs
Tel: +41 22 917 26 53
Email: byrs@un.org

For Maps on Cyclone Nargis and Myanmar:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.nsf/doc404?OpenForm&emid=TC-2008-000057-MMR&rc=3

Attachments:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&docid=6354C3C6FE1E699B852574490075B2B9&file=Full_Report.pdf


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