Provide Shelter for People after Disasters

Two weeks after Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on May 2, 2008, over 100,000 people are estimated to have perished and more than 1.5 million people are homeless. These numbers will rise in the coming weeks because of monsoon rains, contaminated water, disease, lack of food and the immense difficulty of reaching those in need.

CHF International is working closely with its partners to help organize emergency operations to get assistance to those who need it. CHF is currently supporting the Emergency Shelter Cluster, a coordination body led by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) that has been activated to help non-governmental organizations (NGO), United Nations agencies and other humanitarian organizations, work together to provide the best and most comprehensive response possible. CHF International is fully committed to working with its partners to find ways to help the people of Myanmar and has therefore seconded the Director of its Office of Humanitarian Assistance, Richard Choularton, to the Emergency Shelter Cluster where he is serving as a Special Advisor.

Like many other NGOs, CHF’s response has been delayed as we try to get emergency response experts into the country. CHF staff will be on the ground in the coming days working to assess the needs and get shelter to those who need it most. But even with people on the ground, Myanmar currently suffers a shortage of the plastic sheeting that is needed get families out of the monsoonal downpours and under cover. To support the people of Myanmar, we need your help. Your contribution will help us to purchase shelter materials and reach thousands of people whose lives have been devastated by Cyclone Nargis.