ASEAN assesses Myanmar cyclone relief

Jun 3, 2008, 9:22 GMT

Jakarta - The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) established a team to assess the needs of the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, officials said Tuesday in Jakarta.

Participating in the joint assessment team are the ASEAN Emergency Rapid Assessment Team, UN representatives and experts from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, a press release issued by the ASEAN secretariat said.

'I have high hopes for the joint assessment team,' said Surin Pitsuwan, the Secretary-General of ASEAN.

'Based on the assessment report that they will produce, we will be able to identify the needs of the Cyclone Nargis' victims and intensify our efforts in the most needed areas,' Surin said.

The assessment will produce a comprehensive report on the relief, recovery, and rehabilitation phases, it said. The first progress report is scheduled for June 24, with the final report due to be released in mid-July.

'ASEAN is committed to helping our friends in Myanmar and will continue to do so,' said Surin, who was scheduled to be in Yangon on June 4 and meet with the members of the ASEAN team.

The devastating Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar in early May, leaving tens of thousands of people dead or missing.

ASEAN members included Indonesia, Cambodia, Brunei, Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.