CERF enables life-saving assistance in Eastern Myanmar

A number of assessments conducted over the past 6 months identified that urgent support is required to alleviate suffering and respond to the pressing humanitarian needs of affected populations in the dry zone and the border areas.

An estimated 500,000 internally displaced persons are located in Eastern Myanmar alone, of which an estimated 220,000 live in Kayin State, Mon State and the Tanintharyi Division. Insecurities and harsh living conditions in these areas have also prompted a large number to flee to Thailand. Reports show that these populations are of particular risk and require special attention. However, the humanitarian access to those areas from inside the country is limited due to government restrictions.

The CERF grant of US$ 2.7 million, allocated on 23 December 2006, will enable the UN Country Team, in close collaboration with a range of implementing partners, to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance to forced migrants and affected communities in the Eastern border areas and the dry zone in Myanmar.

Villagers from Karen State [Photo: Karen Human Rights Group]

The CERF grant will enable UNICEF to provide health relief for uprooted and deprived children and families: For nutrition-related services, UNICEF targets 2.3 million children and 340.000 pregnant women while essential drugs will be targeted at 1 million children under age five and their families.

WFP will provide emergency food assistance to 85,00 critically vulnerable and food-insecure beneficiaries, particularly TB patients and people living with HIV-AIDS in the central dry zone (Magway).

UNHCR,in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, uses the CERF grant to provide emergency health assistance to 60,000 villagers in 11 townships in Kayin and Mon States, Southeastern Myanmar.

IOM complements its ongoing malaria control activities amongst a highly vulnerable population in four townships in Mon State. CERF funds will ensure access to WHO-standard free malaria early diagnosis and prompt an effective treatment in order to reduce the number of fatalities.

[Last Update: 20 February 2007]

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