• Entire villages washed away
• 700,000 people thought to be homeless
• Farmers' livelihoods under threat

Cyclone Nargis struck southern Myanmar (Burma) in the early hours of 3 May, sweeping through the Irrawaddy delta region and the country’s largest city, Yangon, causing widespread destruction.

In pictures: Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone

Oxfam has provided support through our partners within Myanmar to more than 248,500 people so far. Our work has included a mixture of food security, public health, water and sanitation, and emergency shelter provision.

Oxfam is concerned for the millions of men, women and children affected by the devastating cyclone in Myanmar. We and others have decades of experience in disaster response and especially providing water and sanitation to disaster affected people. We are certain the international humanitarian community can make a difference on the ground and that's why we want to work with the people of Myanmar affected by this terrible disaster.

Sarah Ireland, Oxfam's Regional Director for East Asia

Learn more

• Situation overview
• Oxfam's response

An unimaginable situation

Cyclone Nargis cut a huge swath of devastation about 50 miles wide across 200 miles in Lower Myanmar, destroying homes, crops, and property, and killing tens of thousands of people.

We are cautiously optimistic following an announcement by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon about the prospect of increased access for aid workers to help survivors of Cyclone Nargis.

Our partner assessments and information from other international NGOs and the UN have revealed that water and sanitation, shelter and public health remain key issues.  The ground in and around villages is covered in water, with a substantial increase in mosquitoes and thus an increased risk of malaria and dengue. The high level of surface water has also led to overflowing latrines which present a significant health risk. In addition, many latrines have been destroyed leaving people without access to clean and dignified toilet facilities. Our local partners also report that housing remains a key problem with many families lacking adequate shelter for the monsoon season.

With the advent of the planting season, many farming families will require assistance in restarting their livelihoods activities.

Learn more

• Oxfam's response

Oxfam's response

Oxfam is making slow but steady progress responding to the huge needs in the Myanmar delta.

Water and sanitation

One of the greatest threats to disaster survivors is waterborne disease. Contaminated water supplies combined with the crowded, chaotic living conditions of emergency settlements can lead to the rapid spread of deadly diseases like cholera. Oxfam partners are constructing emergency latrines and distributing soap and other hygiene supplies to people gathered in temporary settlements, as well as to those who have been able to remain in their villages.

They are also using every means at their disposal to ensure that supplies of clean water reach the people in need. Trucks and boats are transporting water over long distances, and devices called “water baskets” are being provided to help with local deliveries.

Water baskets are inexpensive containers made from wood and locally available plastic material. Each “basket” holds the minimum daily water requirement for at least 250 people and can be wheeled to wherever it’s needed. The devices can be filled and refilled rapidly using treadle pumps, so that each can provide water for up to 1,000 people per day.

The next challenge will be to restore sustainable supplies of clean water to the affected villages.

Shelter

Immediately after the cyclone, Oxfam partners provided temporary shelter materials to families whose homes were destroyed during the cyclone but who remained in their villages.

As thatch was initially unavailable, Oxfam partners provided heavy-duty plastic sheeting and rope for each household, helping build shelters that not only protect residents from the rain but also channel some of that rain into water-collection systems.

Soon, we hope to assist people in rebuilding homes out of traditional materials such as bamboo and thatch.

Food and basic household items

Oxfam partners have distributed biscuits, rice, noodles, oil and other emergency rations to affected communities in Yangon and throughout the river delta. Sometimes we help provide food through cash transfers instead of direct distributions, in order to ensure that people receive what they most want and need.

Blankets, mosquito nets, candles, cooking pots and utensils, clothing, water cans, and other emergency supplies have also been provided.

June 2008

You can help

Donate now to Oxfam's Mynamar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal