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More than 100,000 people are feared dead, 220,000 may be missing in Myanmar due to the cyclones on May 2, 2008. The situation is made immensely worse by the government of Myanmar’s reluctance to allow foreign logistics teams and aid experts to enter the country. Given the diplomatic challenges of working in Myanmar, the UN will play a critical role in leading the international effort to respond to the disaster. Last Friday, the UN and several NGOs appealed for $187 million to support the first 6 months of relief work.
The UN has a large country team in Myanmar of about 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. However, this aid represents a small fraction of what is needed.
UN Foundation Response:
In response to the cyclone, the UN Foundation is working with partners, including the International Community Foundation, to contribute to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) which is allocating at least $20 million to the most urgent relief programs including food, health, logistics, water and sanitation, nutrition and shelter. The International Community Foundation is encouraging its donors to help support the CERF by making a gift to ICF’s UN Disaster Relief Fund.
Ensuring Aid Effectively Reaches Those in Need:
It is a top priority for the UN Foundation to ensure that support reaches the people and projects in need. The UN Foundation utilizes a number of stewardship channels in all of its grants and programs. UN Foundation Program Officers work closely with UN staff at both headquarters and field officers 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.
Working with the Government of Myanmar presents a special diplomatic challenge, thus UN staff are playing a critical role in working, negotiating and coordinating with the government on proper procedures and are monitoring the shipment and delivery of aid to ensure support reaches the targeted people and communities as quickly as possible. ICF donors should rest assured that projects will be carefully selected to ensure that they reach the intended beneficiaries.
Tax-deductible contributions can be made to the International Community Foundation either online or by mail to: |
For additional details regarding the Myanmar Cyclone and relief efforts, see attached link:
Myanmar Flash Appeal 2008 |
