APPEAL #700-K
Appeal Goal – $30,000
Situation:
As noted in an Aug. 13, 2013, situation report, continuous monsoon rains in recent weeks have caused flash floods in many areas of Myanmar (Burma), most seriously affecting the southeast part of the country. More than 23,000 people have been affected; some 3,658 acres in farmland have been destroyed, and with it, more than 1,200 farm animals needed for economic livelihoods.
These losses not only represent a devastating financial hardship, but also threaten the food security of affected communities, with food stocks and seeds lost to the floods.
Rains have lessened and water has receded in recent days, with people moving out of displacement camps. However, returnees are finding a massive task ahead of them – restarting lives in communities where food supplies are gone; drinking water is contaminated; and homes are either destroyed or still flooded.
CWS Response:
CWS and partner agencies have conducted rapid assessments in affected areas; these preliminary assessments are prompting an initial response of assistance to 800 households in the township of Pha Ann. Assistance includes food items — rice, cooking oil and beans.
Budget:
$20,834 for food items; $5,208 for transportation; and $3,958 for administrative costs. Total cost: $30,000.
Please note: This is an initial appeal and will be expanded in coming weeks. Due to poor infrastructure and recent destruction of main roads, access to the affected villages is very difficult. The immediate priority is to provide necessary humanitarian assistance to those communities most in need now, and then quickly move onto rehabilitation programs which will include farm fields that were devastated by the current floods.
CWS’s main concern now is responding to potential food shortages and supply problems.
How to Help:
Contributions to support CWS emergency response efforts may be made online, sent to your denomination or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515
Church World Service is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy.