ID :
9869
Thu, 06/12/2008 - 18:05
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/9869
The shortlink copeid
UN aid programmes hit by shortage of funds
New York, June 12 (PTI) - UN aid agencies and humanitarian
agencies, engaged in relief operations in cyclone-ravaged Myanmar, have expressed concern over shortage of funds saying it could hit supply of essential commodities.
"We need some half a million tarpaulins to help with shelter and funding is urgently needed to sustain the pipeline for food assistance," Amanda Pitt, spokesperson, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Wednesday.
The rescue agencies have received just 40 percent of the funding needed to meet their flash appeal more than five weeks after the deadly Cyclone Nargis devastated Myanmar.
As of this week, there have been firm contributions of USD 82 million – far short of USD 201 million sought – and there have been another USD 51 million of uncommitted pledges.
"Our concern is to continue to get systematic assistance to those most in need, particularly to those most vulnerable to disease, malnutrition and exposure," Pitt said.
More than 134,000 people are dead or missing as a result of Cyclone Nargis and the subsequent tidal wave, which struck Myanmar on May 2, causing the greatest damage to Ayeyarwady Delta area and Yangon, the country's most populous city.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has now dispatched 11,000 tons of food assistance to affected areas, but with food prices rising due to scarcity of many commodities, the agency is distributing cash in lieu of food in some areas.
Meanwhile, a joint relief and early recovery assessment team, involving 250 staff from UN agencies, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and 18 Government ministries, will spend 10 days travelling the affected region to determine both immediate needs and longer-term issues.
Pitt said the preliminary findings of the assessment are expected to be released by June 25.
agencies, engaged in relief operations in cyclone-ravaged Myanmar, have expressed concern over shortage of funds saying it could hit supply of essential commodities.
"We need some half a million tarpaulins to help with shelter and funding is urgently needed to sustain the pipeline for food assistance," Amanda Pitt, spokesperson, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Wednesday.
The rescue agencies have received just 40 percent of the funding needed to meet their flash appeal more than five weeks after the deadly Cyclone Nargis devastated Myanmar.
As of this week, there have been firm contributions of USD 82 million – far short of USD 201 million sought – and there have been another USD 51 million of uncommitted pledges.
"Our concern is to continue to get systematic assistance to those most in need, particularly to those most vulnerable to disease, malnutrition and exposure," Pitt said.
More than 134,000 people are dead or missing as a result of Cyclone Nargis and the subsequent tidal wave, which struck Myanmar on May 2, causing the greatest damage to Ayeyarwady Delta area and Yangon, the country's most populous city.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has now dispatched 11,000 tons of food assistance to affected areas, but with food prices rising due to scarcity of many commodities, the agency is distributing cash in lieu of food in some areas.
Meanwhile, a joint relief and early recovery assessment team, involving 250 staff from UN agencies, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and 18 Government ministries, will spend 10 days travelling the affected region to determine both immediate needs and longer-term issues.
Pitt said the preliminary findings of the assessment are expected to be released by June 25.
