Cyclone in Myanmar

A powerful cyclone has devastated parts of Myanmar killing at least 20,000 and destroying or severely damaging tens of thousands of homes. Across the country, as many as 2 million people have been affected.

The storm hit Yangon, the country’s largest city, directly and the city was declared a disaster zone by the government.

“The destruction is unbelievable. Elderly people are saying this is the worst storm they have ever seen,” says Dr. Kyi Minn, a World Vision staff member, reporting from Yangon.

Concern for Survivors
James Tumbuan, World Vision’s national director in Myanmar, describes how the storm ripped roofs off homes and offices, pulled down massive trees and severed Yangon’s power supply.

With the city’s power out, people are without access to safe drinking water—a serious cause for concern.

“Getting drinking water is a real problem,” Tumbuan continued. “We need water purification units like those that were used in the tsunami. It could take days to get the electricity back.”

Liaising with the Government
World Vision officials have met with government ministry officials who highlighted some of the critical needs to the international aid community. The government asked World Vision and the UN to supply medicine and housing supplies such as metal roofing sheets, tents and tarpaulins.

World Vision has worked in Myanmar for more than 40 years and currently assists children and families through food assistance, agriculture, health, clean water, education, income generation and nutritional assistance programs.

World Vision’s Response
World Vision is there. World Vision is working to ensure survivors get the help they need.

World Vision assessment teams are on the ground in hard-hit areas to determine the most urgent needs. The organization is already providing 10,000 kg of rice and 7,000 litres of water, along with critical supplies including sarongs, t-shirts, tarpaulins and blankets.

World Vision’s primary concern is for the children who will be especially vulnerable at this time. The threat of the spread of disease is a real concern.

How You Can Help
World Vision is appealing to Canadians in an effort to raise $1 million. Your generous gift will help provide crucial and life-saving emergency support to the people of Myanmar.

Please donate now.

Parents take their child to a hospital in Yangon, Myanmar. Children like this boy are especially vulnerable in disasters where the threat of disease is a real concern.