Tropical Storm Nargis caused massive destruction in Burma, with estimates of at least 100,000 deaths and over a million people made homeless or without access to clean water and food. Local partners have started providing relief to 20,000 families in the worst-hit Irrawaddy delta region, distributing blankets, medicines, and water purification tablets from resources they had available, but many parts of the delta remain unreached and people are struggling to survive as diseases spread. The local partners are leading response efforts but have limited supplies that will run out unless the Burmese government allows more international aid into the country.

1. Tropical Storm NargisTropical Storm Nargis

14. Our partners have already started relief distribution in remote areas,Our partners have already started relief distribution in remote areas,
providing blankets, medicines and water purification tablets toproviding blankets, medicines and water purification tablets to
approximately 20,000 families in the Irrawaddy delta region.approximately 20,000 families in the Irrawaddy delta region.

15. As Christian AidAs Christian Aid’’s local partners have been operating for severals local partners have been operating for several
decades in the worst-affected part of Burma,decades in the worst-affected part of Burma,
they have been able to respond immediately with resourcesthey have been able to respond immediately with resources
already available to them.already available to them.

16. Our partners are estimating that at least 100,000 people have been killed, andOur partners are estimating that at least 100,000 people have been killed, and
a million made homeless. Up to 1.5 million people have been left withouta million made homeless. Up to 1.5 million people have been left without
access to clean water and food. In some areas up to 90% of homes wereaccess to clean water and food. In some areas up to 90% of homes were
damaged or destroyed.damaged or destroyed.

17. Many parts of the Irrawaddy delta have still notMany parts of the Irrawaddy delta have still not
been reached. People are struggling for survival.been reached. People are struggling for survival.

18. The fear is that more people will die as a result of increased risk ofThe fear is that more people will die as a result of increased risk of
diseases such as malaria, cholera and dysentery.diseases such as malaria, cholera and dysentery.

19. Our local partners are leading the response in the face of extremeOur local partners are leading the response in the face of extreme
difficulties. However their supplies are limited, and will run low unlessdifficulties. However their supplies are limited, and will run low unless
the Burmese government allows more aid into the country.the Burmese government allows more aid into the country.