Response to Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar

A Message from the NGOs

Reports surfaced on 5/9/08 that the government of Myanmar has confiscated equipment and food aid from the United Nations.  With these types of reports, many potential donors are concerned about making contributions for fear that the aid will be confiscated by the government or be unable to enter the country.

BCLC interviewed various NGOs asking them about their aid capabilities. Their responses are below:

• Is your organization on the ground and able to give direct aid to the people in Myanmar? 

Save the Children (responded 5/9/08)

Yes.  We have 500 staff people stationed in Myanmar.  They have all shifted to disaster relief work.  They have been mobilized since last Saturday and have provided relief aid to 72,000 people and climbing. 

Andrew Kirkwood, Save the Children's country director in Myanmar, reports that in the delta region of Irrawaddy, staff members have seen many corpses rotting where the waters have receded. Staff members also report that in the Pyinkaya area, southwest of the delta, isolated people are dying of hunger and thirst for lack of humanitarian assistance.

Such conditions lend themselves to outbreaks of water-bourne diseases, which could increase the death toll.

United Nations Foundation (responded 5/12/08)

The UN has a large country team in Myanmar of 1,500 staff.  UN agencies such as UNICEF, the World Food Program, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Development Program have been providing direct aid to communities affected by the disaster.  This work includes setting up relief camps, delivering food, water, medicine and clothing.

World Vision (responded 5/9/08)

Yes. World Vision has been operating in Myanmar for nearly 40 years and has extensive grassroots operations with communities there. So far, our 500 staff on the ground have distributed 35 metric tons of rice (38.6 U.S. tons), 18,000 liters of drinking water (over 4,700 gallons), as well as clothing, tents, tarpaulins and medicine.

• What effort is your organization taking to ensure aid is effectively reaching those in need?

Save the Children

Our workers are supervising the distribution. They are targeting the areas of greatest impact, including the delta region of Irrawaddy.

United Nations Foundation

Program officers work closely with UN staff at both headquarters and field offices to ensure funds will be utilized effectively and efficiently. As a project is implemented, the UN Foundation closely monitors progress and allocates funds in installments based upon reporting and milestones from the field. 

World Vision

We are currently distributing pre-positioned emergency supplies that World Vision had in-country. We have been able to purchase additional relief supplies within Myanmar, where available.

• Should potential donors be concerned that aid they help fund will not be able to enter the country? 

Save the Children

No. Save the Children is currently not relying on aid shipments from outside Myanmar.  We are able to send money to our country-office personnel and relief workers are able to buy supplies in-country. 

So far, there have been enough supplies available to buy in Myanmar; however, it is not as fast or efficient as if large humanitarian lifts were taking place.

United Nations Foundation

The UN Foundation  encourages donors to contribute to the Central Emergency Response Fund which is allocating at least $20 million to the most urgent relief programs, including food, health, logistics, water and sanitation, nutrition, and shelter. 

Additionally, the UN Foundation is pleased to work with donors to set-aside funds, on a case by case basis, to support long-term recovery and response programs such as measles vaccines, the clearing of debris, restoring minor infrastructure, building homes, and rebuilding hospitals and health clinics. 

Please contact Simon Isaacs, Special Advisor, United Nations Foundation: sisaacs@unfoundation.org or mobile: 1.206.962.9102.

World Vision

It has been a challenge to bring relief support into the country. However, World Vision has been purchasing available supplies in-country so that we can respond as best as possible, to meet the overwhelming needs of those affected.

Potential product donors are asked to keep in mind that we are grateful for all that they provide to World Vision, and that it may take significantly longer than 30 – 60 days for product donations to reach the children and families who most need it, provided we can move product into the country.

• Should potential donors be concerned that aid they help fund will be confiscated?

Save the Children

No. Though Save the Children would like to get shipments in from the outside, we are buying our needed supplies in-country, which is preventing this issue.  Relief aid bought by us in country has not been confiscated by the government.

United Nations Foundation

Working with the government of Myanmar presents a special diplomatic challenge, thus UN staff are playing a critical role in working in partnership with the government and are monitoring the shipment and delivery of aid to ensure it reaches the targeted people and communities as quickly as possible. 

Donors to the UN Foundation should rest assured that projects will be carefully selected to ensure that they reach the intended beneficiaries.

World Vision

World Vision is fully cooperating with the authorities to secure all the required approvals which will allow humanitarian relief supplies into the country.

• What recommendation do you have for donors, and who can they contact for more information? 

Save the Children

Contact Meredith McWade-Sevin at 203.221.4251 or mmcwade@savechildren.org

United Nations Foundation

Given the administrative and logistical challenges of working in Myanmar, we advise donors to make secure financial contributions to rather than in-kind donations (UN Foundation does not accept in-kind donations for Myanmar relief). In-kind donations will prove difficult to clear customs and reach those most in need.

We recommend that donors support  the Central Emergency Response Fund which is directing support to the most needed programs.  We also welcome the opportunity to work with the BCLC's members on the long-term recovery efforts.

Interested donors can contact Simon Isaacs, Special Advisor, United Nations Foundation: sisaacs@unfoundation.org or mobile: 1.206.962.9102.

World Vision

For private or corporate donors interested in product donations, please contact Stephen Scranton at 253.815.2303.

For corporations wishing to make cash contributions or initiate an employee giving campaign, please contact Chris Wolff at 253.815.2573.

Contributions can also be made by calling 1.888.56.CHILD or visiting www.worldvision.org.

How to Help

NOTE: Before agreeing to provide assistance of any kind, please contact the donee organization directly to ensure that they are on the ground and providing aid. Many NGOs are having trouble gaining access to the area; much due diligence is required. Our website has a list of humanitarian partners that are on the ground or whose members are operating in Myanmar.