Ten aid flights carrying Red Cross emergency supplies are due to arrive today (12 May) in Myanmar as more than £5 million is raised by the UK public.

Donations poured in over the weekend to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Myanmar (Burma) Appeal – an umbrella of British aid charities that pools fundraising for major disasters.DEC agencies and their partners warn that more support is required in order to reach the tens of thousands affected by the devastating cyclone.  Agencies are on the ground now distributing vital supplies of food, water and medical relief to thousands in affected areas, but much more is required.
 
"Donations of over £5 million have been received and it's vital that people continue to support the DEC Appeal," said Brendan Gormley, DEC chief executive. "We can't let these people down and we're relying on the generous support of the British public to help us to continue this life-saving work."

Red Cross relief

The British Red Cross has pre-positioned stock in Kuala Lumpur which is being flown this week to Myanmar. This includes 3,000 tarpaulins, 3,000 jerry cans, 3,000 shelter kits and 122 hygiene kits.

The organisation is working through the Myanmar Red Cross Society, which has 17,000 volunteers in the country as well as delegates from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable.

Currently most people are drinking the same water, which carries hundreds of dead bodies, animals, human waste, as well as industrial and residential debris. As a result there is growing concern about diarrhoea and disease causing an even greater humanitarian disaster.

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