CARE appeals to British public as death toll from cyclone Nargis rises

6 May 2008

Hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar (Burma). CARE International’s national emergency appeal will provide direct assistance to survivors in two of the hardest hit areas.

Recent reports suggest the death toll will exceed 25,000 while hundreds of thousands of people have been made homeless due to the mass devastation.

Poor families living in fragile houses in southern areas like Yangon were among the worst hit.

Infrastructure throughout the affected areas has been severely damaged, cutting off roads and telecommunications. Many of the worst affected areas can only be reached by boat and the roads remain littered with debris. Fuel stocks are depleting rapidly which will affect the transportation of clean drinking water, food and other emergency supplies.

"Our experience in emergency response tells us that the loss of life is often greater than initial reports suggest," says Geoffrey Dennis, chief executive of CARE International UK. "The enormity of Cyclone Nargis and its true impact are yet to be known."

CARE is currently conducting field assessments in South Dagon and Thaketa areas to determine where the need is greatest. At present the provision of shelter and safe drinking water are the highest priorities followed by food and sanitation.

Today, CARE teams in South Dagon and Thaketa found thousands of people who have lost their homes, sheltering in Pagodas and schools.

CARE will be providing plastic sheeting, food, jerry cans, water purification tablets and oral rehydration solution to those affected in these areas.

Significant funds are required to ensure CARE can deliver rapid assistance to the thousands of people affected by the cyclone. With the death toll steadily rising CARE is appealing to the British public to give generously in the face of this disaster.

CARE is responding and appeals to the British public to support us to deliver life saving aid.

 
Please make a donation to our rapid response emergency fund >>


About CARE International in Myanmar:
CARE has been working in Myanmar/Burma for 14 years, mostly on food security, health, HIV/AIDS prevention and water and sanitation. CARE has 500 staff members working in 120 villages and towns across the country.


For more information, or interviews please contact:

In UK:
Deborah Underdown tel: +44 207 9349417

In Australia:
Roslyn Boatman, tel: +61 3 9421 5572 mobile: + 61 419 567 777

Notes to editors:
Myanmar is the name recognised by the United Nations and the country in question.
Burma is the name recognised by the UK Government.