Japan has pledged USD 3 million to IOM to provide new roofs for
6,700 homes damaged by Cyclone Nargis, which struck the Irrawaddy
Delta on May 2nd and 3rd.

The funding, which is part of USD 10 million donated by Japan
for post-Nargis emergency response and reconstruction, will be used
to buy, distribute and install corrugated galvanized iron (CGI)
sheets to replace roofing lost in the cyclone.

The CGI sheets will be distributed by IOM from four operational
hubs in urban and semi-urban areas of the Delta townships of
Bogale, Pyapon and Mawlamyinegyun and in Mon State. IOM currently
has logistics and warehousing facilities in Bogale, Pyapon and Mon
State.

IOM relief operations in the three Delta townships to date
include the deployment of mobile teams providing direct medical
aid, and the distribution of relief items including tarpaulins,
hygiene/family kits, rain ponchos and mosquito nets.

Nine IOM mobile medical teams, using Zodiac inflatables and
other boats to access remote locations, have treated over 17,150
patients in 239 villages in the three townships since the
cyclone.

Other IOM operations currently underway include the distribution
145 portable water purifiers to schools and health clinics, and the
arrival and distribution of some 25,000 plastic tarpaulins ordered
by IOM from suppliers in India over the next two weeks.

Ten temporary tented medical facilities are also being set up,
equipped and staffed by IOM in areas where medical infrastructure
was damaged by the cyclone. The tents will operate as clinics until
health services are properly restored.

In the revised United Nations Flash Appeal launched in New York
yesterday, IOM is appealing for USD 4.65 million for repairing and
rebuilding bamboo housing; USD 1.94 million to repair, rebuild and
rehabilitate primary health centers and maternity homes; USD
443,000 to enhance health care service delivery in remote areas;
USD 1.36 million to deliver mental health services; USD 494,000 to
reduce HIV vulnerability; and USD 115,000  to monitor severely
destroyed communities in nine affected townships to support early
recovery.

For more information, please contact:

Chris Lom

IOM’s regional office in Bangkok

Tel: +66.819275215

E-mail: "mailto:clom@iom.int" target="_blank" title="">clom@iom.int