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Myanmar

Myanmar: Cyclone Nargis highlights 09 May 2008

General Situation Update

- Official statistics as of 6 May indicate 22 464 deaths, and 41 054 missing.

- Relief items have arrived in Myanmar, including 10 Interagency Emergency Health Kits with medical supplies (including malaria supplies) and equipment for 300 000 people for one month.

- The supply of clean water remains of highest priority, especially related to the increased possibility of water and vector borne diseases

- Agencies are relying heavily on national workers to deliver support. Movement of international aid workers within and to Myanmar is still limited.

- International offers of aid and donations continue to rise, along with increasing offers from the private sector

- UNICEF reports that 75 000 schools have completely collapsed, and 25 000 schools have lost their roofs

Health Action

Coordination

- The WR Myanmar and Ministry of Health Myanmar are holding daily meetings.

- WHO organized the first Global Health Cluster strategic coordination teleconference with 22 participants

- The Health cluster has been initiated both in Bangkok and Myanmar

- Inter-cluster collaboration is ongoing. The Health cluster is collaborating with the Logistics, WASH and HIV/AIDS clusters both in Myanmar and Bangkok.

- A Joint UN Flash Appeal for US$108 million will be launched regionally in Bangkok on 12 May. WHO has requested US$ 5 million, within this initial appeal, to cover projected needs for the next 6 months. This will be revised within 30 days.

- Joint CERF proposals are currently being developed

Assessment

- Two members of the UNDAC team including one health professional, have gained access to Myanmar and will begin their assessment today.

- WHO's regional surveillance officers are assessing the affected regions.

Health Care Delivery

- Ten Interagency Emergency Health Kits including malaria supplies have arrived in Myanmar

- Twenty teams with 10 epidemiologists each are on stand-by in Thailand awaiting clearance from the Myanmar government

- Discussions are ongoing for the mobilization of further supplies, including diarrhoeal disease kits, water and sanitation kits, bleach powder and long lasting impregnated nets (LLIN) to the area

Outbreak Control

- WHO has mobilized teams of regional surveillance officers to the district to assess the health situation in the area

- Rumors of diarrhoeal outbreaks reported in the Yangon area.

- Drugs, Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Malaria and Dengue, bednets and other supplies available

- UNICEF has sent 3 million water purification tablets. Further supplies will be purchased locally.

Technical Support

- A public health officer from WHO Geneva has been deployed to Yangon.

- The WHO Myanmar Country Office includes 140 staff mobilized for this crisis.

- A Health Cluster Coordinator has been identified.

- Efforts are ongoing to deploy experts for logistics, and epidemiology.

Next Steps

- Purchase additional supplies, locally, from the regional office, or from HQ as applicable

- Strengthen health coordination in the country

- Establish a surveillance system in the affected areas

- Enhance WHO field presence and increase visibility in the field

- Mobilize the donor community to provide funds for responding to this crisis