Two weeks after Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar, relief efforts remain hindered by insufficient access and inadequate assessments. Risks of disease, further displacement and deprivation - and, above all, unecessary deaths - increase with each passing day.

The official death toll stands at more than 38,000, with over 27,000 missing. Unofficial estimates are considerably higher. The UN estimates between 1.6 and 2.5 million people are severely affected.

There is urgent need for food, shelter, medical supplies and water. Damaged infrastructure and communications pose serious logistical challenges, and weather reports for the coming days predict continued heavy rainfall.

Massive logistical support is needed for an effective response. The UN stands fully ready to assist the Government of Myanmar in providing critically needed humanitarian relief to the victims of this tragedy.

[Read more:  OCHA Situation Reports  -  Flash Appeal  -  ReliefWeb  -  IRIN  -  CERF]

— USG-ERC John Holmes

An unprecedented rise in food commodity prices coupled with diminishing food stocks is leading to concerns that the humanitarian community will soon face serious challenges, including how to address the needs of new groups of vulnerable populations, increased pressure on food-aid operations, worsening of ongoing crises and instability caused by food-related unrest. 

On 29 April 2008, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the creation of a High Level Task Force on the global food crisis. Its primary aim will be to coordinate the efforts of the United Nations system in addressing the crisis in all aspects. USG John Holmes was appointed Coordinator of the Task Force. 

[Read more:  Overview  -  Latest Updates]