UN STANDS READY TO ASSIST AFTER DEADLY CYCLONE BATTERS MYANMAR

UN STANDS READY TO ASSIST AFTER DEADLY CYCLONE BATTERS MYANMAR New York, May 5 2008 10:00AM The United Nations has offered its assistance to Myanmar authorities in responding to the deadly cyclone which struck the South-East Asian nation on Friday, leaving death and widespread devastation in its wake.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA), Cyclone Nargis made landfall in the Irrawaddy delta region, some 250 kilometres southwest of Yangon around 4 pm on 2 May.

With winds of over 190 kilometres per hour, the storm hit Yangon later that same night, tearing down tears and power lines and causing widespread flooding.

Thousands have reportedly been killed. In addition, "the numbers in need of assistance are expected to be sizeable," OCHA said.

Buildings have been badly damaged throughout Yangon, and a significant number of people have been left without shelter. Electricity is unlikely to be restored for several days and water supplies are expected to be a major problem. Many roads remain impassable and the airport has been closed until further notice.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his deep sadness by the loss of life and the destruction suffered by the people of Myanmar. "He extends his deepest condolences to the families of those who have been killed, injured, or made homeless because of the storm," his spokesperson said in a statement issued yesterday.

A UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/Coordination/FieldCoordinationSupportSection/UNDACSystem/tabid/1414/Default.aspx">UNDAC) team has been organized and is on stand-by to assist the Government in responding to humanitarian needs if required.

"The United Nations is also prepared to extend other necessary assistance and to mobilize international aid in support of the Government, if needed," the statement added.

The most immediate needs include food, plastic sheeting, water purification tablets, cooking sets, mosquito nets and emergency health kits.

No formal request has yet been issued by the Government for international help, said OCHA.
2008-05-05 00:00:00.000

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