A plane carrying critical relief supplies from the UN Refugee Agency’s global stockpiles in Dubai has landed in Yangon, Myanmar. The UNHCR-chartered flight, supported by Dubai Humanitarian, carried over 40,000 kilograms of life-saving aid for nearly 16,000 people affected by the deadly earthquake on 28 March. The plane took off from Dubai and arrived at the international airport in Yangon.
The flight brought tents – critically needed for sheltering displaced families – and household items to support quake survivors in Myanmar. UNHCR has declared a humanitarian emergency in the aftermath of the 7.7-magnitude earthquake.
“We have been racing against time to help affected populations since day one by deploying staff and humanitarian supplies,” said Noriko Takagi, UNHCR Representative in Myanmar.
The death toll has risen to over 3,000 people, with more than 5,000 injured and hundreds still missing. A staggering 17.2 million people have been impacted by the quake, including 2.1 million who were already displaced due to the ongoing conflict.
The earthquake severely damaged many cities, including the second and third biggest, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw. Overall, the UN estimates that 41,000 houses collapsed. Critical infrastructure was severely damaged or destroyed and widespread destruction of businesses and farmlands has left people destitute and in need of immediate humanitarian support. Survivors are facing dire conditions, lacking adequate shelter, food, and clean water. Unseasonal rains and extreme heat have also heightened the risk of disease outbreaks.
To date, UNHCR has distributed most of its in-country stocks for some 50,000 survivors in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Bago Regions, as well as in Nay Pyi Taw and parts of Shan State (South). The agency co-leads the response on shelter, emergency relief items, camp coordination, and protection as part of the inter-agency response.
UNHCR has appealed for $16 million to assist 1.2 million affected people as it expands its emergency relief efforts, manages displacement sites, and supports vulnerable people in six affected regions until the end of the year.
This funding will allow UNHCR to replenish stocks urgently to meet the massive needs in areas suffering from the impact of the earthquake on top of four years of conflict and displacement. These relief items are critical for people who have lost everything.
