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Burma: Politics and Government

Answer

The cyclone that hit Burma on 2 May was one of the worst humanitarian disasters since the Asian Tsunami of 2004. The official Burmese government death toll is 84,537 dead with 53,836 missing, and the UN estimates the total number of people badly affected to be in the region of 2.4 million. The Red Cross estimates on the basis of reports from 22 organisations working in Burma that between 69,000 and 128,000 were killed. DFID estimates that of the affected population, 300,000 remain extremely vulnerable and require immediate humanitarian assistance.Some progress has been made in improving access to the affected areas by international humanitarian workers. The rate of delivery and volume of relief goods has increased since the UN/ASEAN conference on 25 May, but the UN estimates that approximately 1.1 million of the 2.4 million cyclone victims have yet to receive assistance. Some areas are just now being reached for the first time. However, the ASEAN's joint assessment process (PONJA—Post Nargis Joint Assessment) is under way and appears to be progressing well.The UN Flash Appeal has requested US$201 million and is 63.6 per cent. funded (received funds not including pledges). A revised Humanitarian Appeal is expected in early July. DFID, having committed £27.5 million, is a leading donor. Our support is helping organisations provide immediate humanitarian assistance to victims of the cyclone, such as shelter materials, food, clean water and household items to replace those that have been lost.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

478 c488-9W;478 c490-1W; 214015

Session

2007-08

Subjects

Myanmar Humanitarian situation

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk