MYANMAR CYCLONE RELIEF UPDATE

Current estimates.. 22,000 dead, over 100,000 (probably more) homeless. Many areas still cut off. AMDA-RoseCharities Canada is supporting AMDA HQ and AMDA Myanmar relief efforts. Below is latest update of progress....

AMDA Headquarters staff are in close contact with AMDA Myanmar office

since May 3rd. Because of the damage to the infrastructure
communication was quite difficult to establish but thanks to the hard
work of our staff we are keeping good communication line with the
Myanmar office. AMDA's office has also been hit by cyclone and some of
our local staff have suffered damages to their houses but fortunately
they all are fine and eager to offer assistance to other victims.
According to their information, cost of living has soared since the
disaster. Markets and banks have partially opened in Yangon. There are
no official evacuation sites for the victims, many of them are seeking
shelters at their relatives or friends house. Public hospitals have
suffered considerable damages from the cyclone and some of them are not
in operation. Rich people go to private clinics for the treatment of
injuries. Infrastructure has broken down and most of them are still not
in operation. Especially water is causing a lot of concern. Many of
the victims are drinking lake water which may result in greater health
problem. Myanmar Government's national disaster center is asking the
world community for the following items: funding, medicine, tent, blue
sheets, instant food, construction material, blankets, and summer
clothing.
AMDA's position at this moment....
1 Centers are being set up to take care of the health problem.
As many of the big organizations, such as UN and
related organizations, have been faced with difficulties getting into
the country, AMDA's achievement in the past and our present activities
in Myanmar are great advantage in implementing ER activities this time.
Our Yangon office is useful as a strategic basis
for ER activities.
2. Our Myanmar activities in Myanmar means that . There we have local doctors and other staff members
working for our project who can be very good possible human resources
for our ER activities.
3. Our International Chapter members are also our great assets as
usual. ASEAN countries have easier access to Myanmar. Many of them do
not need visa to enter Myanmar. As we have chapters in these countries,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, we may be able to
form AMMM depending on the permission from Myanmar government. Nepal as
well as India Chapters may also be able to take part in this. AMDA Canada
is offering assistance as well. Whether we are able to
dispatch AMMM to Myanmar or not, depends on the permission from Myanmar
Government.

The plan:
1. Medical... Mobile clinics with AMDA Myanmar- Govt approval pending

2. General relief... Distribution of relief materials from AMDA as well as other donating agencies