The Catholic Church in Myanmar says that the immediate needs for people are medical help, food, water and shelter following the devastation caused by Cyclone Nagris.

The storm hit the Irrawaddy Delta region on Saturday morning 3 May and the death toll is now at 22,000 with parts of the country still cut off and 40,000 people missing. The death toll is expected to rise and is the worst cyclone-related disaster in the region since 1991.

Caritas Internationalis is coordinating the relief efforts of its 162 national members.

Caritas has assembled an initial team drawing on staff from across the memberships with a strong representation from the local region, such as from Caritas Asia.

Caritas is working in support of the Church in Myanmar and the Burmese people and is initially looking at providing food, clean water, temporary shelter materials and medical help through partners.

Local Church partners in Myanmar have been to some of the worst affected areas. "We have a severe situation and are very worried about the people here," said one staff member.

In a message to Caritas members, local Church partners said, "Our country is in a state of mourning with 22,000 deaths and still counting. Thousands have disappeared and more than a million are displaced. The magnitude of devastation overwhelms a poor country like ours.

"As nature left a trail of devastation, access to the victims and assessment is a hard task. Data is slowly coming in. Urgent needs are food, water and shelter. Thousands are in need of urgent medical help.

"As a Church, we are reaching out to the victims with all means at our disposal. At this hour of darkness, we are encouraged by the show of support by our friends from abroad and we thank you for your sympathetic enquires."

Caritas works before, during and after an emergency, supporting people to rebuild their own lives.

For more information, please contact Caritas Internationalis Head of Communications Patrick Nicholson on 0039 06 698 79725 or 0039 334 3590700 or nicholson@caritas.va.