GENEVA: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched an emergency appeal on Sunday ( Mar 30 ) for more than US$ 100 million to help victims of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar.
The IFRC, the nation’s largest humanitarian system, said the country suffered considerable loss in Friday’s 7.7-magnitude collapse near the northern city of Mandalay, and needs were growing by the hour.
” To scale up support, the IFRC launches an emergency appeal for 100 million Swiss francs ( US$ 115 million ) to assist 100, 000 people ( 20, 000 households ) with life-saving relief and early recovery support over the next 24 months”, it said in a statement.
With temperatures rising and the rain time approaching within days, affected communities need stabilising immediately “before extra problems emerge”, it said.
” This is not just a crisis, it is a complex humanitarian crises layered over existing threats”, said Alexander Matheou, the IFRC’s Asia Pacific local director.
” Myanmar continues to face domestic movement and food insecurity. This disaster exacerbates an already unstable situation. The international community must move forward to assistance a strong and prolonged response”.
The local Myanmar Red Cross Society has mobilised trained individuals to give support, launching search and rescue work, the statement said.
Individuals have been administering initial aid, providing pre-hospital treatment, distributing disaster relief products such as pillows, tarpaulins, and hygiene products, and deploying mobile health teams.