The Situation
Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar on 2nd and 3rd May 2008, devastated the Ayeyarwady and Yangon divisions. About 138,300 people were reported dead or missing as a result of the Cyclone, and more than 2.4 million people were significantly affected.
International Red Cross Action
The International Red Cross launched an emergency appeal, seeking for about HK$550 million to assist 500,000 beneficiaries across 13 townships in Ayeyarwady and Yangon divisions for three years. With support from more than 40 Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies from around the world, the targeted fund raising amount has been reached quickly. This three-year relief and recovery operation will be completed by July 2011. To date, the following activities have been completed by the International Red Cross:
Health and Care
More than 160,000 people have access to basic healthcare and first aid services;
4,358 community volunteers have been trained in Community-Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA) programs. After completed the trainings, they are now involved in community-initiated activities, such as health education sessions and hygiene campaigns, which have reached more than 77,000 beneficiaries;
More than 127,000 school children were reached by the school hygiene promotion activities;
With the community based psychosocial support program, more than 660 community kits and recreation kits were distributed to 668 villages and 465 schools.
More than 70,000 people participated in psychosocial support activities aimed at helping them to alleviate the distress they suffered after the disaster.
Water and Sanitation
More than 168,000 vulnerable families and 45,000 school children have access to clean water through the rehabilitation of 446 communal ponds, construction of 207 wells, 529 water tanks and 121 new ponds;
Approximately 47,000 households and 49 schools have benefited from latrine construction programs.
Reconstruction
More than 12,000 shelters were constructed, benefiting over 60,000 beneficiaries;
Construction of 25 schools in 2 townships, benefiting approximately 3,250 students;
Construction of 19 sub-rural health centers, the health centers will be handed over to the Ministry of Health after completion;
Repaired 171 community buildings and infrastructures in 11 targeted townships;
93 Red Cross Posts were constructed to enhance community-based activities.
Livelihood Support
More than 7,400 people participated in ”Cash for Work” program, including remuneration to participate in infrastructure restoration projects;
Approximately 19,000 villagers, including farmers, fishermen and businessmen, have received livelihood supports, such as provision of fertilizer, livestock, fishing boat, fishing gear, and cash support through livelihoods asset recovery project.
Disaster risk reduction
More than 4,000 cyclone affected villagers have been trained in Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) program;
232 villages were supplied with early warning equipments, including loud speaker, stretcher and promotional materials.
Hong Kong Red Cross Action
With the generous support from the Hong Kong public, Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) has received a donation of over HK$23 million to support the relief, recovery and disaster preparedness programs in Myanmar. To date, more than HK$18 million has been mobilized via the International Red Cross to support:
Procurement and distribution of non food relief items, including 4,000 tarpaulins, 2,000 shelter kits, 200 First aid kits, and 100,000 oral rehydration salts packets. More than 188,000 affected households have received clothing and textiles, such as longyi, shirts, shorts, blouses, and raincoats etc;
Replenished 3,000 family packs, each including 2 tarpaulins, 2 blankets, 1 mosquito net, 1 kitchen set and 1 set of cloths, to prepare for future emergency relief operation;
Community-based health and first aid program (CBHFA), including procurement and distribution of 10,000 hygiene kits, 29,920 bars of soap, and conducting community based health promotion trainings and activities;
Water and Sanitation program, including rehabilitation of 55 ponds and 50 wells, construction of 108 ferro-cement tanks, 300 fiber glass tanks, and 1,400 latrines;
Enhancing the capacity in disaster preparedness and response in 66 communities and 10 schools through disaster risk reduction program.
More information
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies