Burma Cyclone Relief

The first stage of World Concern Burma's emergency relief is now well underway. They are working to meet the urgent survival and recovery needs of 50,000 survivors (10,000 households) through:

Phase I - Emergency relief:

First response medical care, food aid, water purification and storage, generators to pump water, and provision of non-food relief items.

Phase II - Recovery:

Second response agricultural inputs to salvage the monsoon planting season, transitional shelter and household repairs.

Phase III - Rehabilitation and Reconstruction:

Long-term response to help rebuild housing, livelihoods and community infrastructure.

World Concern Burma will provide this support through long-established local non-government partners. These are already based in the most affected regions, including the Irrawaddy delta.

---

Preliminary plans¹ have included the following activities:

Emergency Relief Phase

In the first month:

• Household supplies including plastic sheeting, mosquito nets, basic toiletries for 10,000 households
• Food aid for 5000 households
• Medical care for 3000 households
• Water treatment, well repairs and water pumps for 3000 households

These items are distributed through World Concern Burma's partners, along with technical support. They are also working on repairs for the Yangon office, and providing support for staff members whose houses were destroyed by the cyclone.

Recovery Phase

Cyclone Nargis has hit Burma's primary rice production region right at the start of the monsoon rice planting season. Unless the season can be salvaged, massive food shortages will occur. The inundation of water has damaged paddy fields and killed many animals, used for food and draught power.

From the second and third months after the cyclone:

• Agricultural recovery for 2500 households, including seed, fertiliser and soil conditioner
• Draught animals for 500 households
• Grants for 2500 household for house repairs and replacement of livelihood items
• First stage household reconstruction

Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Phase

The long-term impact of the cyclone is huge. World Concern Burma is committed to working with communities for up to five years. They are planning to:

• Construct both transitional and permanent shelter, and repair damaged buildings (where possible)
• Boost food security through long-term agriculture and livelihoods rehabilitation
• Help reconstruct key village / community infrastructure
• Details of this plan may change as they will be subject to ongoing assessment, resourcing and access issues.

¹Details of this plan may change as they will be subject to ongoing assessment, resourcing and access issues.

Related Countries:

Burma

Related TEAR Partners:

World Concern Burma