July 11, 2008: The UN Cyclone Nargis Flash Appeal relaunches today in New York, aiming to fill a vast funding shortfall that has left many sectors of the relief response struggling.

World Vision is calling on government donors to come up with significant financial commitments in response to the UN Appeal, so that the immediate and critical needs of those affected by May's disaster can finally be met.

Hesitant donors
Although donors have not yet fully met the UN's initial request for US$201 million, the relaunched Flash Appeal now hopes to raise US$486 million. After two months of appeal, a lack of available funds across agencies threatens to jeopardise the international response.

"Donors have been somewhat hesitant to support the UN Flash Appeal," said World Vision's Cyclone Nargis Response Manager, Judy Moore. "We speculate that this is because of a fear that the aid is not getting through to those that need it. But World Vision can confirm that our relief is reaching those affected."

As a condition of full funding, the international community demanded a comprehensive assessment of the conditions facing those affected by Nargis. In response, a joint assessment was launched with the involvement of the Government of Myanmar, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the UN, and NGOs.

Six World Vision Myanmar staff were part of the joint assessment team, covering some of the worst-affected areas in Yangon, Labutta, Bogale, and Pathein, as well as providing coordination among the various teams. The Post-Nargis Joint Assessment is due to be released on the 21st of July.

"Now that the conditions laid out by donors have been met," said World Vision's Judy Moore, "it's time that the international community step up and fully fund the response."

Funding short, needs still great
The challenge now, said Moore, was to continue the supply of goods and services to cyclone-affected communities, with many agencies already feeling the pinch from an undersupply of funding.

The World Food Programme's limited funding is in part responsible for the organisation last week cutting by half the number of helicopters in use, threatening to slow the delivery of relief supplies to hard-hit Delta regions.

World Vision's food stocks are also running low as a result of the funding shortfall.

The preliminary findings of the assessment showed that nearly half of all affected households had been receiving food through humanitarian assistance. In all, nearly three quarters of those who survived Cyclone Nargis lack enough food to last more than a week, according to the preliminary findings.

A further 60% of households had poor or no access to clean water. Over 20% of households also suffered from psychological stress. Close to two thirds of houses had been severely damaged in the cyclone.

A long-term worry highlighted by the findings concerns livelihoods. Two thirds of village leaders suggested that there would not be enough seeds for the next planting season, which ends in one month.

But Moore cautioned observers not to jump to conclusions if the UN Appeal is not fully met; "There are other avenues for donors to fund the humanitarian response. NGOs like World Vision have been receiving significant support from governments and private individuals for our emergency response. We hope they are as generous as we seek to move our operations towards supporting the recovery of those affected."

World Vision's emergency response is targeting 338,000 people affected by the cyclone. The main areas of focus for World Vision are on meeting the food needs of 240,000 people and providing safe drinking water for those affected by the cyclone. Also key to World Vision's response are child protection activities, the provision of shelter and household items, and improving the earning potential of those affected.

Up to 2.4 million people were affected by May's tropical cyclone, reports the UN.

Contact Ashley Jonathan Clements in Yangon for interviews on: +95 95 104 369
For more information visit: http://wvasiapacific.org