Relief Efforts in Flood-Affected Myanmar

UN Aid Agencies Continue Relief Efforts in Flood-Affected Myanmar

New York, Jun 23 2010 6:10PM United Nations aid agencies are widening their relief efforts in western Myanmar, where more than 60 people have been killed and thousands of other villagers forced out of their homes by floods brought on by monsoonal rains.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported today that more than 27,000 families have been affected by the floods, which struck Myanmar’s Rakhine state and neighbouring Bangladesh last week.

The agency is working with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Government health staff to deploy mobile medical teams to flood-affected towns and villages.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) plans to distribute 1,079 tons of food to affected households, in addition to the 400 tons already handed out in Maungdaw and Buthidaung, the hardest-hit areas. The food sent so far is mostly rice, but beans, pulses, oil and salt are also being included.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) reported that it is starting income-generation activities in at least 100 villages so that residents can buy food and other essential items, such as blankets and mosquito nets.

The death toll from the floods has climbed to 63 in Myanmar, according to State media figures. Nearly 700 homes are reported to have destroyed and more than 3,500 others partially damaged. At least 58 Bangladeshis have also died from the rising waters or mudslides.

ENDS

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