Following the impact of Cyclone Nargis five days ago, the toll on the human population is continuing to increase, and the situation of the survivors is worsening dramatically. Today, international aid agency Action Against Hunger (ACF) sent its first convoy of aid from Rangoon to Bogalay to provide vital support to the affected populations.

Rangoon: needs are immense

Clearing operations have begun on the streets of Rangoon and the central water supply is gradually being brought back into operation. However, other difficulties are surfacing. "One of the major problems is getting access to fuel. People are afraid there's going to be a massive shortage. Of only two refineries that existed in Burma, one has been completely destroyed and the other is damaged. We're seeing endless queues in front of petrol stations," says Felix Léger, Action Against Hunger's country director in Burma. "The other problem is access to basic supplies. People are trying to stock up at small shops. There are still some supplies left but at ever increasing prices."

The rise in prices comes at a time when the current global food prices crisis was already having a significant and worsening impact on the country, especially as the cyclone has destroyed a region known as the 'rice basket of the country'. The needs of the survivors are immense. International food aid must be doubled immediately to prevent shortages, as the stocks are dwindling rapidly without external assistance.

First convoy sent to Bogalay

Bogolay, where 10,000 people are thought to have died, is one of the worst affected areas. The region's population was already living in a highly vulnerable situation prior to the disaster. A survey carried out by Action Against Hunger last February found that 80% of water points were already inadequate in terms of quality and quantity and almost 70% of the population were without access to clean water.

Action Against Hunger sent its first convoy of aid this morning from Rangoon to Bogalay to provide vital support to the affected populations. Two lorries are transporting relief supplies including 10 tonnes of rice as well as water purification tablets, which will ensure the distribution of 25,000 food rations. A second convoy is already being prepared in Rangoon. This will include kitchen utensils, hygiene kits, tarpaulins and equipment for the provision of drinking water.

Action Against Hunger intends to scale up these convoys while awaiting access to larger amounts of supplies. "If the difficulties with getting petrol persist, the risk is that this will restrict our movements and our capacity to act," comments Felix Léger. For the moment, Action Against Hunger's teams in Burma are mobilising all their resources,but are awaiting more support. Ten aid workers are ready to join the teams in Burma. Once they get their visas, they will be able to support Action Against Hunger's teams already on the ground in Rangoon and provide aid to survivors in the south. Aid supplies are also ready to be sent.

Help is urgently needed. According to our teams on the ground, the humanitarian situation of the survivors is extremely alarming.

Action Against Hunger has launched a Burma cyclone emergency appeal. To make a donation, please call 08705 100 722 or visit www.aahuk.org.

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Notes to editors: Action Against Hunger has worked in Myanmar since 1993. 15 international and 300 local aid workers are providing assistance to over 140,000 people. Programmes include water and sanitation, nutrition and food security activities.

Action Against Hunger (ACF) is an international humanitarian organisation specialised in tackling hunger and malnutrition with projects in 43 countries. Its teams are directly helping over 4 million people worldwide. www.aahuk.org