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Myanmar

Myanmar: Cyclone Nargis OCHA Situation Report No. 42

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SITUATION OVERVIEW

1. Since early May, national, regional and international responders have been providing relief assistance to more than 1.3 million cyclone affected population in Myanmar. Some of the affected areas still remain a logistical challenge, further compounded by deteriorating road conditions due to incessant rainfall. Along with relief, efforts for early recovery have also started. The Post-Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA) report released on 21 July provides an objective analysis and agreed framework for the targeted provision of relief and community based recovery. The humanitarian needs assessment reflected in the PONJA report matches with those presented in the United Nations Revised Appeal of 10 July2.

2. John Holmes, United Nations Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister H.E. General Thein Sein in Nay Pyi Taw today. The ERC was accompanied by the UN Resident Coordinator Bishow Parajuli, UN Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. Dan Baker and Head of OCHA Myanmar Thierry Delbreuve. The ERC also met with H.E. U Soe Tha, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development, H.E. Major General Maung Maung Swe, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, H.E. Dr. Kyaw Myint, Minister for Health, and Mr. U Maung Myint, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw. During his three-day mission that ended today, the ERC also met with Mr. U Kyaw Thu, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Tripartite Core Group (TCG), donors and representatives of the humanitarian community in Yangon. The ERC, based on his observations in the Delta, commented on the significant progress that had been made since his last visit, but then also noted that there are many more relief needs to be met in the harder to reach communities in the affected areas.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

3. The following information is provided by the clusters, which meet regularly to coordinate the humanitarian response of national and international NGOs, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement and United Nations agencies. More detailed information on cluster coordination, maps, events, meeting schedules, contact lists and press releases are available at: http://myanmar.humanitarianinfo.org.

4. FOOD

Overall Achievements

- As of 24 July, a total of 24,567 tons of food assistance has been delivered to the affected areas, of which 19,829 tons has been distributed.

- Clearance of the 500 tons of rice imported from India is ongoing.

- Arrangements continue for the procurement of 5,000 tons of rice from Thailand.

- The dispatch of food commodities from Yangon into the Delta is ongoing, and most recently included:

- 532 tons of rice, 200 tons of pulses and 145 tons of oil delivered to Pyapon between 22 and 24 July;

- 210 tons of pulses and 60 tons of oil delivered to Pathein (for Ngapudaw) on 22 July; and

- 50 tons of pulses and 33 tons of oil delivered to Laputta on 24 July.

- Distribution and Post-Distribution Monitoring training will continue to be available periodically to staff in the field. Partners interested in having their staff participate should contact Jedda.Constantine@wfp.org

Challenges

- Regional procurement of rice to avoid pipeline breaks, logistical challenges to reach the most affected communities and resources still remain major concerns.

Gaps and Future Planning

- Provision of short-term relief food distributions for 200,000 targeted beneficiaries in the Yangon Division.

- Planning for the local production of rice-based blended food for young children is ongoing.

Funding

- The Food cluster is 36% funded in the Revised Appeal, according to the OCHA Financial Tracking Service (FTS).

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
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