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In early May 2008, Myanmar was hit by Cyclone Nargis, the worst natural disaster ever experienced in the country’s recorded history. UNICEF was among the first to reach affected areas with emergency assistance, which was further strengthened in the following days and weeks. With the generous support of Canadians, UNICEF will continue to assist in the recovery of affected children and their communities in Myanmar as long as there is a need.
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On August 14, 2008,
the Honourable
Beverley J. Oda,
Minister of International Cooperation, announced that Canada has matched over $11.6 million in private donations received before June 12 for people affected by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. UNICEF will receive $3.7 million for our humanitarian response to the cyclone.
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One of the most crucial needs in the aftermath of the cyclone was to provide health care to children and families impacted by the storm. UNICEF mobilized emergency medical supplies it had pre-positioned in the country and shipped in additional supplies as soon as possible, dispatching essential drugs and medical equipment, including oral rehydration salts, antibiotics, vaccines and vitamin A in quantities large enough to treat 600,000 children for prevention of possible outbreaks of severe diarrhoea, malaria and dengue fever.
To help prevent malnutrition among young children at increased risk due to the storm’s devastation, UNICEF distributed fortified foods including the nutrient-rich therapeutic food Plumpy Nut, therapeutic milk, and high-energy biscuits. UNICEF also helped train local health personnel and relief staff in the treatment of malnutrition in communities and health centres.
UNICEF took immediate action to help provide safe water, water treatment options, latrines and hygiene supplies to help prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases in affected areas. UNICEF has provided technical assistance, along with supplies such as water storage tanks, water purification materials, pipes, fuel for operation of pumps and labour costs, to supply clean, safe water in temporary settlements. UNICEF is also helping to rehabilitate and clean water sources such as ponds and wells in affected villages and towns.
In order to facilitate children’s return to school, UNICEF has been supporting the repair of damaged schools, the establishment of temporary safe learning spaces and the provision of school supplies, assisting more than 1,500 schools.
Since the cyclone hit, one of UNICEF’s priorities has been to ensure the protection of children who have been separated from their families. UNICEF has helped to identify separated and unaccompanied children, provide interim care, and support family tracing and reunification. To provide children and families in affected areas with community-based psychosocial care and support, UNICEF has supported the establishment of more than 250 child-friendly spaces which help children return to normal lives through participation in recreational and educational activities.
In the coming months, UNICEF will continue to support school repair and rebuilding, the prevention of malnutrition among children through supplementary and therapeutic feeding programs, the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation, and the protection of children and women from abuse and exploitation as communities rebuild in the aftermath of the cyclone. Much more work needs to be done and your ongoing support to our humanitarian efforts, benefitting thousands of children in Myanmar, is appreciated.
To donate to UNICEF’s emergency relief operations in Myanmar, please click here, or call 1 877 955-3111.
UNICEF Canada raises funds for emergencies based on country needs. Should the total contributions exceed the funding needs for a certain emergency, the funds received will be reallocated to other UNICEF emergency programmes where the need is greatest.
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