"Working through our Red Cross colleagues who are already in both Myanmar and China, we will provide any kind of emergency relief such as shelter, medical equipment, water and food as required," stated the Secretary General of the Irish Red Cross, John Roycroft today.

In Myanmar thousands of families are being supplied with emergency housing by the Irish Red Cross, where Irish Red Cross Relief expert Joe Lowry reports that there is growing concern about disease due to contaminated water.

"It is imperative that we continue to get the support of Irish people to deal with the disaster in Myanmar where people are relying on the Red Cross as one of the few channels of aid into the country," said the Irish Red Cross Secretary General. He also expressed the sympathy of the Irish Red Cross and praised the volunteers of the Chinese Red Cross who are working in the earthquake zone.

"We are willing to help in China in any and every way possible," added John Roycroft.

"Human suffering in Myanmar is in no way less catastrophic now than it was a week ago. We need donations urgently to deal with the situation there," he concluded.

Donations are needed now online to www.redcross.ie or by calling 1850 50 70 70.

Myanmar: Red Cross Response

Irish Red Cross Delegate, Joe Lowry reports that concern is growing at the humanitarian crisis is "overwhelming" in some areas with acute needs for shelter and clean water and sanitation.

Expert water and sanitation engineers are needed in Myanmar to help ensure clean water and adequate hygiene for the tens of thousands of survivors who now find themselves living in makeshift camps over a week after the disaster struck.

It is hoped that these experts can be sourced within the region, while in-country First Aid expertise is also making a vital difference, saving lives and helping people deal with the cuts and burn wounds sustained during the Cyclone.

The news comes as the number of people targeted for aid is scaled upwards to 100,000, by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies which is expected to increase its initial appeal of just under Euro 4million accordingly.

Aid continues to arrive in Yangon airport. Between Sunday and Tuesday five flights bringing 25 tons of shelter materials and mosquito nets will have been processed. Myanmar Red Cross has begun distributing rice in Yangon and more has already been sent to the delta area by road. Family kits for 10,000 people, consisting of tarpaulins, pots, mosquito nets, water purification tablets and soap left today for locations in Yangon and the delta

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Water & Health

A million litres of water per day are being set-up for delivery to the worst affected areas of Myanmar, reports Joe Lowry. This measure is vital to sustain life and prevent disease. Adequate toilet, sewage and other essential sanitation systems are also urgently needed.

Conditions in some of the makeshift camps housing survivors and elsewhere remain very poor.

To this end a Red Cross/Red Crescent mass sanitation unit, capable of serving 20,000 people is on the way to Myanmar while clean water supplies will come from four water purification units, two of which have already arrived in country.

Food

Food aid is also on the move, with 30 tons of World Food Programme rice, sourced in Myanmar, currently being loaded onto trucks for distribution by Myanmar Red Cross volunteers in the main city and in the Delta region, where hundreds of thousands of people are in need.

Shelter

The Irish Red Cross is focusing its efforts on getting tents, tarpaulins and other shelter items to the people most affected and is appealing for urgent donations online to www.redcross.ie or by calling 1850 50 70 70.

China: Red Cross Response

Chinese Red Cross local branches started to provide emergency relief assistance straight away. Already they have sent hundreds of tents and thousands of blankets to the afflicted area.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has released EUR 153,355 from its disaster relief emergency fund to support local Red Cross efforts to get immediate assistance to people affected by the earthquake.

A Chinese Red Cross/International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies joint emergency assessment team left Beijing first thing this morning to go to Wenchuan to conduct emergency assessments.

For further information, please contact Aoife MacEoin, National Communications Officer, Irish Red Cross 087 998 3788 amaceoin@redcross.ie