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Children of Burmese migrants attend a USAID-supported school on the Burma-Thailand border. Photo courtesy of USAID. |
U.S. Sends Aid to Cyclone Victims in Burma
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Henrietta Fore is traveling to the cyclone-stricken region of Southeast Asia in her capacity as the President's Special Coordinator for International Disaster Assistance. Her visit shows the deep commitment of the American people to support the relief efforts in Burma. She will review USAID relief operations within the region and encourage more access for the international relief community to provide critical life saving humanitarian supplies and support.
Since the disaster, the U.S. has taken the following steps:
On May 5, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Shari Villarosa declared a disaster in Burma due to the effects of Cyclone Nargis. In response, USAID/OFDA deployed a USAID/DART and immediately provided $250,000 to UNICEF, WFP, and the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for emergency food, water and sanitation, and shelter assistance.
On May 6, an additional $3 million from USAID/OFDA was allocated for the provision of emergency relief assistance to cyclone-affected populations, including $1 million to the American Red Cross and $2 million for NGO partners.
On May 12, USAID Administrator Fore announced $13 million in food aid and logistics assistance through WFP. A DOD plane delivered more than $67,000 of USAID/OFDA commodities to Rangoon.
U.S. Navy ships currently remain in the vicinity of the affected areas of Burma for training exercises and could be redirected, if necessary to support relief efforts. The U.S. Military continues to make plans to support potential relief operations to Burma.
For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance to Burma, please visit www.usaid.gov/locations/asia/countries/burma/cyclone_nargis
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