Asia-Pacific News

UN urges increased assistance to Myanmar's cyclone-hit areas

Apr 3, 2009, 19:37 GMT

New York - The United Nations on Friday called for increased support to Myanmar's regions that were heavily destroyed by Cyclone Nargis almost a year ago, saying the help provided so far was below the actual needs of the people there. Myanmar is currently facing a pre-monsoon season, particularly in the delta that was hard hit last May. The cyclone killed tens of thousands of people while hundreds of thousands of others lost their homes. The UN last year appealed for 691 million dollars to cover three years of recovery assistance. But financial pledges by donors have not been forthcoming. Bishow Parajuli, the UN relief coordinator in Myanmar, said in the capital of Yangon that there is an imminent need for sustainable shelter and agricultural support ahead of the monsoon season, which begins usually in May. A meeting of donor countries was held in Yangon on Friday, at which Britain announced an increase in its aid to Myanmar by 14 million dollars, the UN said. The representative of Singapore in Yangon, Ambassador Robert Chua, said Myanmar needs assistance in a variety of areas, ranging from food security and shelter to education, water and sanitation.

Asia-Pacific News

UN urges increased assistance to Myanmar's cyclone-hit areas

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