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Myanmar (Burma) cyclone

A cyclone hit the Myanmar delta region in the early hours of Saturday 3 May. State media in Myanmar have reported a death toll of 78,000 to date.

Water and sanitation, shelter and public health remain key issues. The ground in and around villages is covered in water, with a substantial increase in mosquitoes –increasing the risk of malaria and dengue. The high level of surface water has led to overflowing latrines which present a significant health risk. Many latrines have also been destroyed leaving people without access to clean and dignified toilet facilities.

Housing remains a key problem with many families lacking adequate shelter for the monsoon season.

What Oxfam is doing

Oxfam is making slow but steady progress in responding to the huge needs in the Myanmar delta.

Myanmar (Burma) cyclone: in pictures

Water and sanitation

An Oxfam partner sets up a "water basket" and demonstrates how to treat drinking water. Photo: Oxfam

One of the greatest threats to disaster survivors is waterborne disease. Contaminated water supplies combined with the crowded living conditions of emergency settlements can lead to the rapid spread of deadly diseases like cholera.

Oxfam partners are building emergency latrines and distributing soap and other hygiene supplies to people gathered in temporary settlements, as well as to those who have been able to remain in their villages.

They are also using every means at their disposal to ensure that supplies of clean water reach the people in need. Trucks and boats are transporting water over long distances, and devices called “water baskets” are being provided to help with local deliveries.

Water baskets are inexpensive containers made from wood and locally available plastic material. Each basket holds the minimum daily water requirement for at least 250 people and can be wheeled to wherever it’s needed. The devices can be filled and refilled rapidly using treadle pumps, so that each can provide water for up to 1,000 people per day.

The next challenge will be to restore sustainable supplies of clean water to the affected villages.

Shelter

A family in Kyailkat rebuilding with a new plastic roof provided by an Oxfam partner. Photo: Oxfam

Immediately after the cyclone, Oxfam partners provided temporary shelter materials to families whose homes were destroyed during the cyclone but who remained in their villages.

As thatch was initially unavailable, Oxfam partners provided heavy-duty plastic sheeting and rope for each household, helping build shelters that not only protect residents from the rain but also channel some of that rain into water-collection systems.

Soon, we hope to help people rebuild homes out of traditional materials such as bamboo and thatch.

Food and basic household items

A young boy enjoying a meal of rice and chicken. Photo: Oxfam Novib

Oxfam partners have distributed biscuits, rice, noodles, oil and other emergency rations to affected communities in Yangon and throughout the river delta. Sometimes we help provide food through cash transfers instead of direct distributions to ensure that people receive what they most want and need.

Blankets, mosquito nets, candles, cooking pots and utensils, clothing, water cans, and other emergency supplies have also been provided.

How you can help

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For media inquiries, please contact Melany Markham 0407 515 559 or melanym@oxfam.org.au