Distribution of Food Assistance in the aftermath of Cyclone NargisName: Distribution of Food Assistance in the aftermath of Cyclone NargisDuration: May 2008-December 2009 Donors: World Food Program In the aftermath of the devastating May 2008 Cyclone Nargis which affected over 2.4 million people of Myanmar, much of the nation was in desperate need of immediate aid. Joint UNDP and Pact assessment teams were immediately dispatched to the heavily affected townships of the Ayeyarwady Division in the days following the cyclone. Initial assessments showed that in Bogale, Laputta and Mawlamyinegyun, 90 percent of villages were severely affected. The teams found that urgent relief was needed in the areas of food, shelter, and clean water. Rice supplies were at risk, and most water supplies had become brackish and untreatable with standard purification technologies. Approximately 80 percent of houses had collapsed, and the remainder sustained some degree of damage. In cooperation with the World Food Program(WFP), Pact has distributed food aid to 140,000 beneficiaries in villages across Pyapone, Bogale, Mawlamyinegyun and Laputta townships. In this effort it has employed 70 new local staff, from distribution managers to boat drivers. In two weeks Pact was able to distribute WFP rice to 167,000 people in the delta at no cost to WFP. At this time, villages sent representatives to the distribution points and provided their own transportation back to their villages. Beginning June 2, Pact began a formal schedule of providing rations to 50,000 beneficiaries in Laputta, 34,000 beneficiaries in Mawlamyinegyun, 12,000 beneficiaries in Bogale and 18,000 beneficiaries in Pyapone. As of July 1st, the number of beneficiaries in Laputta was increased to 60,000 and the number in Mawlamyinegyun increased to 50,000, to make a grand total of 140,000 beneficiaries. Though the one year anniversary has passed since Cyclone Nargis brought its destruction, Pact is still actively engaged in food distribution with the help of the World Food Program and will continue distribution through the end of 2009. Staff contacts: Fahmid Bhuiya Country Representative and Technical Advisor pactmya@yangon.net.mm Kimberly McClain Program Officer Kmcclain@pactworld.org |
