Needs Assessment for the Cyclone Nargis Affected Areas

 The Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, making landfall in Ayeyarwady Division crossing through the Irrawaddy delta from southwest to northeast, and directly hitting the country’s largest city, Yangon. Major damage was reported in the affected areas, particularly in the low-lying agricultural delta region where the Cyclone’s impact was compounded by a storm surge. Buildings, infrastructure and communications have been severely damaged, and flooding was widespread. Given the devastation of homes and infrastructure, loss of agricultural land and loss of access to fishing grounds due to persistent flooding and the shifting of sands, many people have been displaced and are currently staying either in government-run settlements of informal temporary shelters such as monasteries, schools and other public building. Access to many disaster affected areas remains severely restricted, as certain parts of the delta can be reached only by boat. The estimated number of people affected is as high as 2.4 million. The official death toll stands currently (1 June 2008) at 77,738 with 55,917 missing. Unofficial estimates are considerably higher.