Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Cyclone, 10-25-2010
On October 22, Cyclone Giri made landfall on the western coast of Burma near Kyaukpyu town in Rakhine State with wind speeds of 140 to 155 miles per hour. Preliminary reports from the Myanmar (Burma) Red Cross Society (MRCS) indicated that the cyclone resulted in 10 deaths and affected at least 5,200 people in Rakhine State. The cyclone also damaged or destroyed houses, bridges, roads, and power and communications infrastructure in Rakhine State, particularly in the coastal towns of Kyaukpyu, Minbya, Munaung, Myebon, and Pauktaw. According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, MRCS branches identified food, water, and shelter as priority needs in affected areas.
On October 25, 2010, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Larry M. Dinger declared a disaster due to the effects of Cyclone Giri. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon to Save the Children/US for emergency relief supplies and shelter assistance.
Additional Disaster Declaration:
Cyclone, 05-05-2008
On May 2, Cyclone Nargis made landfall in Irrawaddy Division of Burma with a maximum sustained windspeed of approximately 132 miles per hour (mph) and a storm surge of 12 feet. The cyclone then continued east-northeast and caused extensive damage in the city of Rangoon. As of May 5, the Government of Burma (GOB) had reported at least 4,000 deaths and 93,000 people displaced, but these figures were unconfirmed. The cyclone disrupted communications, electricity, and water services in Rangoon and destroyed 20,000 houses on Haing Gyi Island, according to the GOB. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that the cyclone destroyed 95 percent of houses in villages along the south coast of the Irrawaddy delta area. The GOB declared a state of emergency in Bago, Irrawaddy, and Rangoon divisions and Kayin (Karen) and Mon states.
On May 5, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Shari Villarosa declared a disaster due to the impact of the cyclone. Also on May 5, USAID/OFDA provided an initial $250,000 to the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF), U.N. World Food Program, and Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees for emergency relief assistance.
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