ReliefWeb

The situation

Since mid-July 2015, floods and landslides in several parts of Myanmar have resulted in widespread loss of life, injuries, displacement of people from their homes, damage to houses, agriculture and livelihoods. According to data sourced by the Myanmar Red Cross Society from its branches in affected regions, combined with information from government sources and UNOCHA, as of 9 August, at least 90 human lives had been lost and some 1 million people affected by the floods across 12 of 14 regions.

As the situation continued to evolve, on 31 July, the President of the Union of Myanmar issued a statement declaring natural disaster zones in Chin and Rakhine states and in the Sagaing and Magway regions, stating “the following regions which are hugely affected by natural disasters and have challenges for rapid restoration to normality, are announced as natural disaster zones (1) Chin State, (2) Sagaing Region, (3) Magway Region and (4) Rakhine State.” The government indicated that it would accept international assistance.

In response, the authorities, local civil society organizations, international non-governmental organizations, UN agencies and the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) – supported by its International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners – are responding on the ground, with provision of relief and other assistance being scaled up. As the floodwaters continue to flow southwards, there is a growing threat to the Ayeyarwarddy region, which could remain flooded for a relatively longer duration.