Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 May 2008, devastating the Ayeyarwady delta and parts of the country's largest city, Yangon, and ravaging 115 townships.
84,500 people were killed
More than 53,800 are still missing
2.4 million people have been affected (UN estimate)
As villagers struggle to rebuild their lives, Red Cross is continuing to respond to the massive humanitarian challenges.
'Hundreds of thousands of poor people lived precarious lives long before the cyclone hit them,' says Alistair Henley, head of the International Federation's Asia Pacific Zone.
'Nargis has left them weaker and more vulnerable than ever. We must ensure not only that they regain what they lost but have improved and safer lives in the future.'
In the worst-hit Ayeyarwady delta, more than 430,000 people have now received assistance from Red Cross. More than 90,000 others in Yangon have also been helped.
Distributing thousands of mosquito nets, tarpaulins, shelter kits, jerry cans and kitchen kits, the relief response is set to conclude at the end of the August as recovery programs start to take shape.
Among the Australian Red Cross aid workers who have been operating in the country since the disaster are shelter and tracing experts to help families piece their lives back together.
Having access to clean water can make the difference between life and death. In many remote communities in the delta, safe sources of drinking water and storage containers were damaged by the cyclone.
Fifteen villages in the Ayeyarwady delta now have access to filtered water thanks to Australian Red Cross water treatment equipment that is lightweight enough to be transported into the delta by a small boat.
Designed to be easy to use and transport, the water module, also known as the 'Nomad', was first used in remote Papua New Guinea, where it was flown by helicopter after major flooding in November 2007. In Myanmar, the 'Nomad' was quickly mastered by local Red Cross staff and volunteers, with training from Australian Red Cross aid worker Steve Barton, who is based in Yangon.
Just after the cyclone, Australian aid worker Bridget Gardner filed this report on the situation in Yangon and the delta region.
In the worst hit Ayeyarwady delta, more than 430,000 people have received assistance from Red Cross. Photo: International Federation/John Sparrow
Makeshift and homes damaged by stagnant water leave children vulnerable to diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Photo: International Federation/John Sparrow.
Food, hygiene kits, clean water and emergency shelters are being distributed to those affected by the cyclone. Photo: International Federation/J Lowry.
The unit filters 7,000 litres of river water a day in Kyar Chaung village and water is then distributed to 15 villages every third day, by truck and boat.
As communities begin to recover, existing drinking water sources will be rehabilitated and reconstructed so communities can harvest rainwater as they did before the cyclone.
With an existing network of 27,000 registered volunteers, a third of which are active at any time, Red Cross has local knowledge and the access to provide urgent assistance where it is needed most.
The work of these Red Cross volunteers is all the more remarkable given that many of them have been personally affected by Nargis.
In Yangon, Myanmar Red Cross volunteers continue working tirelessly to distribute goods to thousands of cyclone survivors. Thein Tun Aung is a volunteer at Red Cross headquarters in Yangon. 'I am still worried about many of my friends living in the affected area,' he said. 'I am eager to work here and want to contribute to help our people.'
The Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal is closing on September 15. You can make a donation to this Appeal by using our secure online donation form or by using one of the other donation methods on the right.
Donations to the Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal 2008 will:
support the relief and recovery needs of households and communities affected by Cyclone Nargis, including clean water, emergency shelter and household items
send specialist aid workers to assist in the Red Cross response
assist Myanmar Red Cross in preparing and responding to this and future emergencies.
Australian Red Cross will deduct no more than 10% of any donation for an international Appeal to cover its appeal costs. Should the funds raised exceed the amount required to meet the immediate and longer term needs of the people in the affected areas, Australian Red Cross will direct the excess funds to other emergency preparedness and response initiatives in the Asia Pacific region.
Community fundraising
Find out how to organise a community fundraising event or activity.
Donations and support - where they come from
The Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal is closing on 15 September. So far, Australian Red Cross has received more than AUD $8 million in donations or pledges to assist those affected by the disaster.
Freecall 1800 811 700 from anywhere within Australia to make a credit card donation.
Send a cheque or money order to: GPO Box 2957 Melbourne VIC 8060 (please indicate which appeal or activity you would like your donation to go towards).
