GlobalGiving Relief Fund for Myanmar Cyclone

Update: 5/9/08

In response to the devastation in Myanmar, GlobalGiving established the GlobalGiving Relief Fund. Four projects, listed at www.globalgiving.com/myanmar, now comprise this Fund, and proceeds will be allocated equally amongst them. Thanks to the over 135 generous donors who have already contributed.

Updates from three of the posted projects:

International Development Enterprises GlobalGiving Project: Myanmar Cyclone Relief in Irrawaddy www.globalgiving.com/2081

IDE Myanmar has operations in practically all of the cyclone-affected areas in the Irrawaddy Delta, and is hence positioned well to provide aid where most needed. IDE has targeted 20 township areas containing an estimated 8,000 -9,000 villages. About 125 staff have been mobilized to work in these areas - approximately six per township. The initial focus will be on providing immediate relief but rebuilding the agricultural and food security systems will receive equal priority and attention.

Project activities include manufacturing and distributing water storage containers and water treatment supplies, providing plastic sheeting for shelter, and directing cash donations to village-managed relief centers, so that they can purchase food for the vulnerable.

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Save the Children GlobalGiving Project: Help Children and Families in Myanmar www.globalgiving.com/2082

Save the Children is the emergency response agency for children worldwide. We are providing lifesaving relief to children and families affected by Cyclone Nargis, with 500 staff around the country, in 35 districts. We're distributing food, water and materials for shelter (e.g., plastic sheeting). So far we have reached 72,000 children and families across four townships ((Shwe Pyi Tar, Thin Gan Gyn, Insein and North Okkalapa); more than a third of these beneficiaries are children age 12 and under. Approximately 3,000 schools have been damaged or destroyed. In emergencies children are the most vulnerable – they have lost their homes and schools, and face numerous threats to their well-being, including waterborne illness. The situation is deteriorating quickly. Babies and young children are especially vulnerable to life-threatening illnesses like diarrhea.

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International Medical Corps (IMC) GlobalGiving Project: Help Victims of Myanmar Cyclone www.globalgiving.com/2080

IMC is mobilizing resources to respond with emergency relief to the survivors of Cyclone Nargis that hit Myanmar last weekend. IMC is identifying the most immediate needs of the cyclone victims, primarily the lack of vital resources like clean water and food, and how best to deliver them to those most in need.

International Medical Corps is deploying an emergency response team that will help address urgent health needs as well as distribute medical supplies, water purification tablets, sanitation items and hygiene kits. IMC has identified local partners through which it will channel its assistance during the initial stages of the response. With many of Myanmar’s roads impassable due to flooding and debris, IMC is also working to identify logistical supply lines to the hardest hit areas.

International Medical Corps has been building local disaster response capacity in the region, specifically in Indonesia, since the 2004 Tsunami, and is planning its response in coordination with longstanding Indonesian emergency response partners.

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