MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Smith
Australia will provide $3 million in immediate humanitarian assistance to the people of Burma affected by Cyclone Nargis.
Up to $1 million will be provided to Australian non-government organisations with the capacity on the ground to provide immediate emergency shelter, water, water purifiction, cooking pots, linen, tarpaulins and sanitation assistance.
A further $1 million will be provided through the United Nations World Food Programme for essential food staples such as rice and $1 million will be provided through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for water purification and sanitation.
Australia's assistance will focus on communities hardest hit by the cyclone, particularly those living in Rangoon and surrounding regions.
Burmese authorities have reported that around 22,000 people have died and many thousands are homeless as a result of the cyclone.
Assessments on damage to infrastructure and service are continuing, but that damage is clearly very considerable.
Our multilateral and international NGO aid partners are well positioned to provide immediate and targeted assistance to the most vulnerable people, and have extensive experience in delivering aid in difficult operating environments.
Australia does not have a bilateral aid program with Burma and will not be providing any of this assistance to the Burmese regime.
Australia's humanitarian assistance goes directly to credible international organisations working on the ground and directly delivering assistance to the most vulnerable people in Burma.
Australian calls on Burmese regime to ensure speedy on the ground access to aid agencies able to render emergency humanitarian assistance.
Media Contacts:
Courtney Hoogen (Ministerial) 0488 244 901
AusAID Public Affairs (Departmental) 0417 680 590