Tropical cyclone Nargis which had occurred in the middle-east of Bay of Bengal smashed into Myanmar in the late evening of 2nd May until 3rd May afternoon. There were huge damages in Yangon and Ayeyarwady Division and in some parts of Bago Division and Mon State because of cyclone hit. Cyclone damaged thousands of houses and buildings and took thousands of lives.
Myanmar Red Cross Society received Nagis cyclone alert warning on 29th April round about 8 pm. As soon as receiving the alert warning, NHQ informed to cyclone tracked States and Divisions Red Cross offices to be ready to response the cyclone in cooperation with local authorities respectively. Red Cross Volunteers informed communities about Nagis cyclone alert warning started from 30th April.
On 30th April, NHQ formed ahead (5) Disaster Assessment Teams with well trained staff to assess the cyclone affected areas. Relief items are prepared as ready-to-send cargo to distribute to cyclone affected people.
After cyclone hit, on 4th May, based on reports from cyclone affected Red Cross branches, NHQ sent (2) Disaster Assessment Teams to Ayeyarwady Division, (1) Team to Yangon Division, (1) Team to Bago (East) and Bago (West) Division, (1) Team to Mon State to meet with local authorities and branch Red Cross leaders to collect data regarding damages information. Received information are being reported to NHQ instantly.
Myanmar Red Cross Society currently cooperates with International Committee of the Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Danish Red Cross and French Red Cross present in the country. Besides, NS is currently working with UN agencies, WFP and other INGOs to render effective relief activities to victims.
Red Cross Volunteers are actively helping people at temporary shelters in Ayeyarwady and Yangon Divisions. (21) items (blanket, cloths, woman cloths, children cloths, mosquito net, soap, utensils, shelter kits, etc.,) included Family Kits were distributed to Ayeyarwady and Yangon Divisions.
It is planning to distribute rice, soap, jerry cans, water purification tablets to disaster affected families as well as in Yangon.
Red Cross brigade members and volunteers from nearby townships are joining RCVs at temporary shelters/camps and actively rendering help to those who were affected by disaster. On 7th May, it was reported that RCV from Shan State (South), Mon State and Kayin State who came to Yangon were assigned by MRCS NHQ to assist people at temporary shelters accordingly.
NS is assisting local authorities and ministries to carry out health and care activities, health education, water and sanitation, relief activities in emergency situations. Besides, NS is trying to provide Restoring Family Link (RFL) and Red Cross Message (RCM) Services for disaster affected people.
Currently, local and external donors can be made cash or in kind donations (clothes, Food and non food items, construction materials, etc.) at Myanmar Red Cross Society NHQ. All donated items are systematically registered and distributed to disaster affected people according to the needs timely and effectively.

For more information, please contact
Email: mrcs-pres@redcross.org.mm