OCHA Situation Report No. 26
Myanmar: Cyclone Nargis
2 June 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This situation report is based on information received by the clusters, 
whose partners include UN Agencies, national and international NGOs, the 
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and IOM.

HIGHLIGHTS

The World Health Organization and its Health Cluster partners in Myanmar 
have approved a six-month US$28 million action plan to provide immediate 
health care for cyclone survivors, and support longer-term efforts to 
rebuild the country's ravaged health care system.

WFP started a new project in Yangon Division which provides cash to 
200'000 people severely affected by the cyclone.

One Logistics Cluster helicopter was able to fly to Labutta today for the 
first time, carrying 0.5 tonnes of high energy biscuits.

WFP deployed its first international head of Sub-office for Labutta today. 
The Head of Sub-Office is intended to stay in Labutta for 2 months.

If funding is not forthcoming for WFP, the food pipeline will break by 
mid-July.

The TCG met today for the second time. Issues of discussion on the agenda 
today were the terms of reference for the PONJA and the schedule for the 
PONJA. The Group also addressed access, procedures for visa extensions and 
helicopters. Clarification was also received from the GoUM on the 
procedure for new NGOs coming into the country: they should apply to 
Embassies abroad, which would then transmit the application to the Deputy 
Foreign Minister. The Humanitarian Coordinator raised the issue of 'forced 
relocation' and expressed concern. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs 
assured the TCG he would address this issue.

The orientation workshop for the Post Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA) 
started today. The assessment is a unique endeavour between the 54 members 
from 18 ministries of the Government of Myanmar together with cluster 
leads, ASEAN ERAT and members of the IASC. The findings of the assessment 
would first be available at the end of the month.

NATIONAL RESPONSE

Myanmar Red Cross Society

As of 31 May 2008, the Red Cross has reached a total of over 162'000 
beneficiaries, of which 32'105 are located in Yangon Division, 131'500 in 
Ayeyarwady Division, and roughly 1'600 in Mon State.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Overview

To date, a total of 1.3 million beneficiaries have been reached by 
non-governmental (local and international NGO, Red Cross and UN) with some 
assistance. Since the last update (25 May) there has been a concerted 
effort to get more assistance to the Ayeyarwady Delta where the percentage 
of people reached has increased from 23% to 49%.

Situation and Gaps Analysis

It is important to note however that most of these persons have been 
reached with inconsistent levels of assistance. For example, assistance 
provided is not sustained, and in some cases, is well below requirements.

In the first 4 weeks, access and supplies were limited so organizations 
gave only a small amount to the enormous numbers of people who needed 
assistance. While access has improved for the almost 15 international 
staff who have travelled to the Ayeyarwady in the last week, agencies have 
still to establish permanent presence with sufficient capacity to meet the 
enormous needs that must be sustained for the next 6 months, until the 
next harvest in October.

Immediate needs

There remains a serious lack of sufficient and sustained humanitarian 
assistance for the affected populations. This is compounded by the lack of 
a clear knowledge of the locations, numbers of families, and level of 
assistance required, as well as a clear understanding of the support being 
provided by the Government of Myanmar to its people.

A clear analysis of the needs against the assistance available, planned 
for, and required is a priority. Attachments: Full.Report.pdf: 
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&docid=6CC343E6DFF44FE78525745C0063CA6B&file=Full.Report.pdf


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