Appeal code: #700-V
Appeal amount: $383,168
Appeal funding to date: $41,000
Note: This is an update to ourAugust 5 and August 20 appeals.
Situation
Flooding and landslides, which are affecting 12 of Myanmar’s 14 states, have displaced 1.6 million people and have caused upwards of $149 million in damage. In total, nearly half a million houses have been partially or completely damaged and almost 850,000 acres of farmland are suffering severe crop loss. Flooding is expected to continue through mid-October when the monsoon season will end. Damaged roadways and bridges impair the ability of humanitarian aid to reach all those who are affected.
The Ayeyarwady region – where CWS is responding – has suffered the largest loss of farmland: more than 200,000 acres. More than 100,000 homes are partially damaged in the region, and roughly 500,000 people have been displaced.
The flooding has led to health, hunger and sanitation concerns. Most of the wells in CWS target communities are flooded, meaning that villagers are using rainwater and contaminated river water for drinking and cooking. Farmland has been destroyed, and farmers need to repair land and get seed rice before the next cultivation in October and November. Vegetable gardens and livestock have also been lost in floods. Inadequate access to food and use of contaminated water is leading to concerns about the nutritional status of children in affected areas. The flooding has also meant an increase in the number of mosquitoes; mosquito nets are needed.
Response by CWS
In partnership with the YMCA and the Myanmar Red Cross Society, CWS continues to support 70,000 people in 60 communities in three townships in the Ayeyarwady region. Trainings and preparations mean that residents can better mitigate the floods. CWS is also providing food and hygiene materials at evacuation centers.
CWS is providing food, water treatment materials and non-food items including mosquito nets to 10,000 – 20,000 families. Rice has already been distributed to more than 4,000 families in Pantanaw, Maubin and Pathein townships. Additionally, 23,000 to 46,000 people will receive livelihood restoration support, including seed rice, farming equipment and improved community infrastructure.
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). A full activity plan and line item budget for this response can be made available upon request. 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.