Myanmar Cyclone Nargis

Relief International (RI) is assessing the extent of the damage and evaluating appropriate emergency response strategies to provide aid, following a massive Category 3 cyclone in southeast Myanmar. At least 22,000 people are dead, with the death toll expected to reach 50,000. Hundreds of thousands are currently without shelter, clean drinking water and other basic needs after winds reaching upwards of 150 mph tore through the country. Critical damage to infrastructure, including telecommunications lines, buildings and roads has limited access to significant portions of the population, particularly in rural areas. RI is reaching out to local partners to provide emergency assistance to relief operations. RI program response will be expanded as emergency and long-term needs are detailed. The RI Rapid Emergency Deployment (RED) team is currently on standby to provide additional assistance. The RED team is a mobile, rapid response team with the capability to effectively respond to disaster and conflict situations worldwide. To help, please donate now to RI's Emergency Response Fund (ERF). The ERF is RI's revolving emergency fund, drawn upon only for emergencies throughout the world, including the current crisis in Myanmar.