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United Nations
UN humanitarian chief to arrive in Myanmar on Sunday
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16 May 2008 - The top United Nations relief official plans to talk
directly with the authorities in Myanmar in an effort to accelerate
the relief effort for victims of Cyclone Nargis which may have left
more than 100,000 people dead and severely affected up to 2.5 million
others.
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes will fly
into Myanmar on Sunday. UN aid officials say there has been some slow
progress in getting relief supplies and humanitarian workers into the
most affected areas across the Irrawaddy delta in the south of
Myanmar, and that the Government has shown some signs of flexibility,
but more is needed.
Around 300,000 people are estimated to have received rudimentary aid
through the UN and other aid agencies, representing about 20 per cent
of people who have been affected. An emergency team from the
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is also in the
country, working together with the UN. At the same time, heavy rains
continue to batter people who have been made homeless, complicating
relief efforts.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said the impact of the
cyclone extended well inland, destroying rice fields and food stores.
Spokesperson Diderik De Vleeschauwer said that families have also lost
their rice seeds for the upcoming planting season.
Time is running out, he said. If rice seed is not received within the
next 40 to 50 days planting will not happen in time for harvesting
this year. As a result, he said that Myanmar could turn from a rice
exporter to a rice importing country. He added that the Government
estimated that $243 million would be needed to restore agricultural
output.
The UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) estimates that about 1 million children
have been affected by the cyclone, with many sleeping in the streets,
or in schools and monasteries, often without bedding, and frequently
without protection from the rain. The destruction of homes, schools,
water and sanitation systems is an unrelenting threat to the child
survivors, said UNICEF spokesperson Shantha Bloemen.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that about 50 per cent of
rural township health centres and about 20 per cent of hospitals in
the Irrawaddy delta area have been damaged by the cyclone. Many have
lost their roofs, although some are still functioning. WHO has
deployed seven health surveillance teams in the region using local
staff. Spokesperson Fadela Chaib said there had been no major outbreak
of disease so far, and that press reports of cholera cases were
inaccurate.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has dispatched 1,200 tons of rice,
high-energy biscuits and cereals to the areas worst affected by the
cyclone enough to feed around 200,000 people.
Meanwhile, the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has
deployed 100 satellite terminals to Myanmar to help restore vital
communication links in the country. The terminals are easily
transported by road and air, and are designed to be used by Government
officials, aid workers and victims to help coordinate relief efforts.
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