Myanmar cyclone

Cyclone Nargis hit the Myanmar delta region on 3 May. State media in Myanmar have reported a death toll of 78,000 to date and another 1.5 million displaced.

The situation

Oxfam is cautiously optimistic following an announcement by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon about the prospect of increased access for aid workers to help survivors of Cyclone Nargis.

Oxfam's response

Oxfam is making steady progress responding to the huge needs in the Myanmar delta. As of mid-June, through our partners inside the country we have been able to reach 248,500 people people who were made homeless by cyclone Nargis and are sheltering in monasteries, schools, and temporary camps.

One of the most urgent needs is for clean water, which our partners are trying to provide in a number of ways, via trucking supplies in, repairing damaged water points in villages, and supplying additional water pumps.

Shelter is another urgent need which we are providing with tarpaulins and plastic sheeting. We are also supporting distributions of a whole range of essential items - rice, oil, biscuits, noodles, family first aid kits, blankets, candles, salt and basic medicines.

At the same time as giving people relief supplies, we are looking to the longer term. Many of the affected communities are fishing/farming ones, whose livelihoods have been destroyed. Over the next six months we will be supporting our partners in the delta area to look at what these communities will need in terms of tools, seeds, and fertilisers so that where possible, the next planting season can begin. And where we can, we will do more.

How you can help

You can donate to the general emergency fund of your nearest national Oxfam affiliate. Your money will be used to fund our emergency work worldwide, which includes responding in countries such as Myanmar.