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Plan International gearing up to respond to Myanmar floods

by Plan International | planglobal | Plan International
Tuesday, 4 August 2015 16:37 GMT

* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

(LONDON, UK) – PLAN International is preparing to launch an urgent humanitarian response as Myanmar continues to grapple with widespread flooding.

Intense flooding, exacerbated by Cyclone Komen in recent days, means the needs of children and vulnerable communities in Myanmar must be prioritised immediately.

Due to the flooding in Myanmar, thousands of children and families have been left vulnerable and in desperate need of food and potable water. 

With extensive programmes in Rakhine State – which has been badly hit - Plan International is preparing a humanitarian response to provide essential assistance to children and families displaced by the flooding.

According to John McDonough, Country Director of Plan International Myanmar:

“Currently, there is no electricity in these flood-hit areas, phone lines are out and access in, and out, is severely limited. Information is difficult to obtain from these areas, however our emergency teams are on the ground, identifying the needs of affected communities.

“The tropical storm season is only just beginning. If heavy monsoon rains continue or there are more cyclones, the humanitarian situation could worsen.

“It is essential we continue to build resilience across Myanmar, as the multiple disasters confronting this country prove time and time again, that preparedness is the only way to build a better future for children.” 

Plan International will be providing urgent humanitarian support to children, families and vulnerable communities devastated by this crisis. The organisation’s response will focus on distributing life-saving aid, such as clean water, food and other essential items to the affected population, currently seeking shelter in evacuation centres in Minbya, in Rakhine.

ENDS

Spokespeople from Plan International are available for comment and interview requests. For further details, please contact:

Bangkok: Mike Bruce, Regional Communications Manager (Acting)
Mobile: +66 (0) 818 219 770
Email: mike.bruce@plan-international.org

London: Angela Singh, Global Press Officer
Mobile: +44 (0) 7773 636 180
Email: angela.singh@plan-international.org

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