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Myanmar

Minister Power announces airlift of humanitarian aid to Burma

The Minister of State for Overseas Development, Mr. Peter Power, T.D., today announced a second airlift of emergency assistance to the victims of recent cyclone in Burma. The Minister said:

'I have today approved a second airlift of Ireland's humanitarian supplies - this time from our stores in the Curragh, Co. Kildare - to Burma/ Myanmar for the victims of Cyclone Nargis. This cargo of plastic sheeting for temporary shelter, blankets, mosquito nets, jerry cans and other essential supplies will leave from Dublin Airport today and has been allocated to Concern for their work in Burma.

I again appeal to the rulers of Burma/ Myanmar to fully facilitate international relief efforts in accordance with the undertakings which they made to the UN Secretary General'.

The Minister also announced the allocation of grants for humanitarian assistance and relief in Burma. The allocation is distributed among established NGO partners of Irish Aid, each of whom has established operations on the ground in Burma/ Myanmar before the Cyclone.

In announcing these grants, Minister Power said:

'Because of the ongoing difficulty for international humanitarian workers in gaining access to the most affected areas, I am providing assistance to Burma via our NGO partners which have pre-existing operations in place in Burma. This will enable them to use their local staff in the affected regions to deliver the aid so desperately needed. The over-riding priority is to get the relief to those affected as soon as possible'.

The largest grant is for Trocaire in the amount of €450,000. Trocaire have been working through their established partners in the Caritas network in Burma for a number of years. An additional €500,000 has been divided between World Vision International and Save the Children -both of whom have had substantial operations on the ground in Burma for a number of years.

**ENDS**
Press Office
12th June '08