Heavy rains that struck Mandalay and Sagaing – the
epicenter of the recent earthquake in Myanmar – over the
weekend have further complicated the humanitarian situation.
The existing lack of sanitation and clean water is now
increasing the risk of waterborne diseases, said Oxfam
today.
Rajan Khosla, Oxfam in Myanmar Country
Director, said:
“The recent heavy rains have added to
the challenges faced by the survivors of this earthquake,
further affecting those who are already struggling. Hundreds
of thousands of people are seeking shelter in temporary
accommodations or in open areas, with limited access to
clean water and proper sanitation.”
The destruction of
roads and bridges, together with the disruption in
telecommunications have already slowed rescue and relief
operations over the past week. Millions of people in
hardest-hit areas remain with limited access to electricity,
clean water and sanitation, and essential
services.
The 7.7-magnitude quake – the worst to hit
Myanmar in decades – has left a trail of devastation,
particularly in the regions of Mandalay, Sagaing, parts of
Shan, and Nay Pyi Taw.
The UN has
estimated that the earthquake has affected more than 17
million people across 57 of the country’s 330 townships.
Over 3,400 people have been announced dead and thousands
more injured, and the number is still
rising.
Oxfam’s team was among the
first to reach the hardest-hit areas, providing lifesaving
supplies to prevent the outbreak of disease, particularly
acute watery diarrhea. Together with our partners, Oxfam is
providing people in shelters with lifesaving water,
sanitation and hygiene kits, blankets, mosquito nets and
other essential supplies.
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Oxfam’s Water, Sanitation
and Hygiene expert in Mandalay, said:
“Heavy rains
flooded drains, polluting the environment and increasing
public health risks including diarrhoea due to flies and
insects. Many camps lack proper latrines, forcing people to
dispose of human waste without adequate sanitation.” He
added, “there are significant hygiene challenges for the
camp population, as food is cooked outdoors, making it
difficult to prepare meals after rain. This increases the
risk of contamination and the spread of
diseases.”
Myanmar was already reeling from a severe
humanitarian crisis, with almost 20 million people – a third
of the population -needing humanitarian assistance. The
situation is now catastrophic. But despite the scale of
need, the country remains one of the world’s most
underfunded humanitarian crises. Less than 40 percent of the
UN Humanitarian appeal for Myanmar was met last
year.
Rajan said: “This tragedy underscores the need
for a coordinated international response and significant
support to help Myanmar recover and rebuild. The road to
recovery is long, and every contribution can make a
significant difference in the lives of those impacted by
this devastating earthquake,”
Oxfam is scaling up its
response to reach the most vulnerable groups in hardest hit
areas, particularly women, children, and people with
disabilities.
Notes:
- Oxfam in Myanmar has
been working to support communities in Myanmar since 2008,
following the devastating Cyclone Nargis in the Delta
region. Since then, we have expanded our programmes with the
aim of reducing poverty and suffering in Myanmar, working
closely with communities and local
partners. - Immediately after the earthquake, Oxfam
has mobilised to deliver urgent relief to the hardest hit
areas. Together with our partners, our teams have reached
thousands of people, particularly in Mandalay and Sagaing,
with hygiene and dignity kits, as well as, cooked food,
water, mosquito nets and
blankets.
