23 May 2008 - The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is encouraged by the statement issued today by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that the government of Myanmar will allow aid workers of any nationality into the country to carry out vital relief work.
The IRC is still seeking more information and details but believes that the government of Myanmar’s decision to open its doors to a wider relief effort is an extremely positive development.
The IRC launched humanitarian aid programs inside Myanmar immediately following the cyclone and over the last two weeks has delivered vital assistance to a growing number of people. However, with most aid workers prevented from reaching the affected areas only a fraction of survivors have received any aid. The United Nations estimates that only 25 percent of the people in need are currently receiving assistance.
To save lives and to fend off the threat of disease, a massive infusion of supplies and emergency medical, water and sanitation specialists are required now.
These specialists must be able to work and travel outside Yangon in order to reach the people most in need. The IRC has teams of emergency response specialists ready and waiting to join their colleagues already in Myanmar. We hope they will be granted unhindered access to deliver vital aid to cyclone-affected areas.
To learn more and help, please visit theIRC.org/myanmar.
