[DIPECHO Network] Cyclone NARGIS in Myanmar and health concern

[Santosh Nepal]

Dear Disaster Risk Reduction practitioners,

The devastating cyclone NARGIS in Myanmar has took the lives of 23,325, and 37,019 are still missing as of 11 May 2008,  as reported by the Myanmar Government. The biggest concern in the aftermath of the Cyclone is the outbreak of communicable diseases which could appear as another disaster to cyclone survivals. Many international aid agencies are concentrating their efforts on providing support for basic needs to the cyclone victims. Still about 1.5 million are at high risk of health problems following the cyclone, as reported by Oxfam.

We urge experts in this forum to discuss the following issues;

•       Health concerns following the cyclone; access to safe drinking water, food etc
•       Common diseases that might appear after the cyclone in Myanmar
•       How could cyclone victims take care in such situations, any tips…
•       Any other issues……..

We request all members to share information, past experiences, lessons learned and relevant resources among network members.

The WHO document “Communicable Disease Risk Assessment and Interventions Cyclone NARGIS: Myanmar 2008” provides information on the technical guidance on the major communicable disease threats faced by the cyclone affected population in Myanmar. Please download the document from:

http://tinyurl.com/6fe8ch

We hope to have a rich discussion and benefit from your experiences and feedback in this regard.

We have been regularly covering the updates of Cyclone NARGIS in our website (www.disasterpreparedness.icimod.org ).

Please visit our news section: http://www.disasterpreparedness.icimod.org/articles.php?id=19
OR
http://tinyurl.com/3mw4gr

With kind regards
Santosh Nepal

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Mr. Santosh Nepal, Research Assistant
Integrated Water and Hazard Management
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
Khumaltar, Lalitpur
GPO Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal

Tel:+977 1 5003222 Ext 155
Fax: +977 1 5003299 or 5003277
Email: sanepal at icimod.org

http://www.icimod.org


VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
http://www.disasterpreparedness.icimod.org
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