MEDIA RELEASE PR30209
Burma Humanitarian Aid Update
WASHINGTON, May 11 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
InterAction, the largest coalition of U.S.-based humanitarian and
development agencies brought its members together on Friday to share
information about their activities and plans, conditions in-country, and
access, including issuance of visas and permission for international
staff to travel internally.
Concern was expressed by members of InterAction that more funds may
have to be included in the pending 08 supplemental to adequately finance
the U.S. Government's share of relief and rehabilitation costs.
InterAction also put members in contact with officials from the UN, who
briefed them on what they are hearing from colleagues in the field,
diplomatic discussions in New York, and the flash appeal announced
yesterday.
Approximately 2,000 national employees of InterAction members are in
the field providing assistance to survivors of the cyclone. International
staff are directing these efforts from Yangon but as of last night had
not been allowed to leave the city. Some international staff have been
issued visas for travel to Burma to assist in relief efforts, while
others still await authorization by the Burmese government to travel.
Discussions are underway with government officials about flights members
are prepared to send with emergency supplies, once assured they will be
delivered to their staff in the country.
The national employees are, for the most part, being allowed to move
through the affected areas. However, their international colleagues are
not being allowed to leave Yangon. UN agencies and NGOs have reached
276,000 survivors with assistance of some sort.
For updated information on Burma relief and support efforts please
contact Nasserie Carew at ncarew@interaction.org
InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based international
development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. Our 165
members operate in every developing country, working with local
communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their
quality of life.
SOURCE: InterAction
CONTACT: Nasserie Carew of InterAction,
+1-202-341-3814
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