More funds required for Myanmar cyclone response, UN agencies stress

(January 28, 2011) Three months after Cyclone Giri struck Myanmar, key challenges such as inadequate shelter, food insecurity and lack of livelihoods remain, United Nations humanitarian agencies and their partners said on Thursday, calling for additional assistance to support early recovery efforts. The category 4 cyclone killed at least 45 people and affected 260,000 others when it hit the country's Rakhine state in late October. Some 17,500 acres of agricultural lands and nearly 50,000 acres of agricultural ponds were also destroyed. A joint assessment carried out recently by the UN and its partners revealed that, as of January, an estimated 104,000 people are still living with host families in four worst-affected townships. The shelter support delivered so far has consisted primarily of tarpaulins and plastic sheeting, which are not adequate in the longer term. It is estimated that without additional external support, nearly 60 per cent of affected houses will not be repaired or rebuilt before the next rainy season, increasing the risk of another humanitarian crisis. Food insecurity is another major issue, given the severe damage to embankments, crops, boats and fishing gears.