Cyclone Nargis one year on: Red Cross recovery efforts continue in Myanmar

Note: The following appeal is now closed.  You can support our ongoing work by donating to the Canadian Red Cross

 

One year ago, Cyclone Nargis devastated the Ayeyarwaddy Delta in Myanmar affecting nearly 2.5 million people and claiming almost 85,000 lives, since then, more than 1.3 million people have received support from the Red Cross.

“Thanks to Canadian generosity allowed the Canadian Red Cross was able to quickly and effectively respond to the widespread and urgent needs following this disaster,” says Conrad Sauvé secretary general and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross. “Today, Canadian donations continue to help cyclone survivors rebuild their homes and their lives.”

Immediately following the cyclone the Canadian Red Cross deployed urgently needed aid workers and emergency supplies to affected communities. Thousands of volunteers from the Myanmar Red Cross worked tirelessly to distribute emergency relief supplies, including over 2,000 shelter kits donated by the Government of Canada.

The Myanmar Red Cross Society has been at the forefront of relief activities since the cyclone struck. Today, thousands of local volunteers continue to ensure that help and supplies are reaching those who need it most.

As efforts shift from relief to recovery, the Red Cross continues to help survivors rebuild their lives. Over the next three years the Red Cross will provide livelihoods programming for 80,000 households, water and sanitation programs to ensure the well-being of communities, health education programs and training to boost disaster preparedness at the community level.

The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 187 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.