Red Cross aid reaching Myanmar

While the crisis in Myanmar shows few signs of improvement, Red Cross relief is getting through - including family kits that are now reaching some 8,000 families every day.

Members of the public in the UK have so far donated more than £10 million to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Myanmar (Burma) Appeal – an umbrella of British aid charities that pools fundraising for major disasters.

DEC agencies and their partners warn that more support is required in order to reach the tens of thousands affected by the devastating cyclone.  Agencies are on the ground now distributing vital supplies of food, water and medical relief to thousands in affected areas, but much more is required.

	We are extremely concerned about the potential outbreak of disease Pete Garratt, British Red Cross

The British Red Cross also had pre-positioned stock in Kuala Lumpur which was flown to Myanmar. This includes 3,000 tarpaulins, 3,000 jerry cans, 3,000 shelter kits and 122 hygiene kits.

The organisation is working through the Myanmar Red Cross Society, which has 17,000 volunteers in the country as well as delegates from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable.

Currently most people are drinking the same water, which carries hundreds of dead bodies, animals, human waste, as well as industrial and residential debris. As a result there is growing concern about diarrhoea and disease causing an even greater humanitarian disaster.

More misery from monsoon rains

Pete Garratt, British Red Cross relief operations manager, said: "We are extremely concerned about the potential outbreak of disease in the affected areas unless clean water and sanitation facilities can be provided. We are keen to ensure that the appropriate health, water and sanitation expertise is provided to help mitigate the potentially deadly impact of the difficult conditions that the survivors of the cyclone are facing."

The Red Cross is also monitoring the start of the monsoon rains in the delta region which will add to the high levels of floodwater from the aftermath of the cyclone. 

Pete added: "This will worsen the already difficult transportation problems for the distribution of relief and may add to health problems as the rains fall without people having the protection of robust shelter."

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