APPEAL #: 700-V
INITIAL APPEAL GOAL: $20,000
Situation
On July 30, Cyclone Komen made landfall causing heavy winds, flash floods and landslides across Myanmar (Burma).
Although Myanmar typically experiences flooding during the rainy season, this is the worst flooding the country has seen since 2012. With the continuing monsoon rains, the situation will worsen; more flooding is expected in the already affected areas and it seems certain that more areas will be flooded.
More than 260,000 people have been affected by the storm in the states of Chin and Rakhin and the regions of Sagaing and Magway. This is a country-wide crisis. Hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland have been inundated and water levels remain high. Continuous monsoon rains mean more flooding is forecast in already hard-hit areas. The loss of stored grains and livestock is expected to disrupt the planting season and impact long-term food security.
Response by CWS
CWS is monitoring impacts on vulnerable populations and assessing needs together with local partners as part of the ACT Alliance. CWS is prepared to undertake a flood response initiative in cooperation several partners, including the Myanmar YMCA, already a key partner in a continuing Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction project. The Myanmar government is coordinating and monitoring all response efforts.
CWS and partners will work with about 70,000 people in 60 communities across Maubin, Pathein and Ngapudaw townships in the Ayeyarwady Region to mitigate risk and damage from the floods, and combat waterborne diseases brought by the flood waters.
Immediate action
A CWS program manager will lead refresher training activities about emergency preparedness for partner staff and local volunteers from 10 villages in Ngapudaw and Maubin.
Working together, we will procure, assemble and distribute essential supply kits, including first aid supplies, to volunteers and outreach workers.
Deploy trained personnel to all 60 communities to provide essential information.
Procure and prepare crisis response stocks.
Near-term response
Respond to immediate needs with food, water / water purification sachets, hygiene kits, and other needs as they arise.
CWS will help to foster sound shelter management by establishing and training management committees in villages, which will ensure the protection of vulnerable people in evacuation centers/temporary shelters, including children and youth, pregnant women and nursing mothers, the elderly and people with disabilities.
Post-crisis
Provide disinfectant, if necessary, as an initial protective measure for the flooded communities.
Support local volunteers and affected families to assess loss/damage, and to plan and budget for repair, recovery and rehabilitation activities.
This appeal will likely be updated in the coming days as needs evolve.
Budget (in U.S. dollars)
Immediate response: initial training, travel, food and other emergency help: $11,287
Near-term activities: $4,000
Post-crisis: $4,713
TOTAL: $20,000
How to help
Contributions to support CWS emergency response efforts may be sent to your denomination or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515 (designate 700-V, Myanmar Flood Response). Donations to our emergency response efforts around the globe may also be made online.
For further information about disasters to which Church World Service is responding please visit www.cwsglobal.org or call CWS: 800-297-1516.
Program Director: Donna Derr, dderr@cwsglobal.org