As the number of those affected by the devastating cyclone in Myanmar continues to rise, leading UK charities on the ground in Myanmar (Burma) are starting to reach those who are homeless and without food and water.

With more than 22,000 people now confirmed dead and more than 40,000 missing, the need to respond is immediate and vast. The Disasters Emergency Committee will broadcast a national appeal for the DEC Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal tomorrow 8 May.

For donations, please visit www.dec.org.uk or phone: 0870 60 60 900

Speaking about the launch DEC, Chief Executive Brendan Gormley said: “Our members are there and need the UK public to show huge generosity to help them reach those thousands of people who have seen their lives and livelihoods uprooted by this disaster.”  

ActionAid, World Vision, the Red Cross and Save the Children are among the charities who have a long term presence in Myanmar and their teams have responded since the cyclone struck on Saturday.

They are already distributing clean drinking water, hygiene kits and emergency relief supplies and aim to scale this up in the days to come.