YANGON, Myanmar, 14 May, 2008 -- World Vision will provide life-saving aid to nearly half a million cyclone survivors if it can get the additional funds, expertise and supplies to the affected areas.

The international aid agency's local team has been working around the clock to assist more than 100,000 people with emergency assistance.

Steve Goudswaard, World Vision's Cyclone Response Manager, said: "We are now getting relief supplies into the delta area where there is staggering need. If we can maintain the access to survivors and increase our supplies we will be able to reach almost half a million people."

In the delta area, the hardest-hit region, 25,000 people are receiving emergency kits.  Each kit includes tarpaulins, mosquito nets, children's and adult clothing, blankets, buckets and cooking utensils.  Four hundred 50kg bags of rice, provided by the World Food Programme, are also being given out. In the Yangon area, 78,000 people have received rice, water and other basic relief items such as blankets and clothing.   

World Vision now wants to ramp up its relief programme to reach a total of 90,000 families - 50,000 in Yangon and 40,000 in the delta - totaling some 450,000 people.

An operations base has been set up in the eastern part of the delta in a town called Pyapon - about four hours drive from Yangon - through which aid is beginning to flow.  Agency staff has been trucking the kits, assembled by staff in Yangon, down to the base.  Pyapon is close to three of the worst affected townships in the delta region.

The aid deliveries began to move after the government permitted access to those in need.  World Vision has complete control of the supply and distribution of its aid.

Although relief goods are being bought in-country, World Vision hopes to bring in aid flights from Dubai in the next few days. The agency's staff is ready to load priority items like tarpaulins as soon as it receives clearance from the local government.

This short-term emergency relief response will be followed by a two to three year rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.  World Vision plans to increase the number of staff - from the current 580 - and provide specialist training to ensure an effective response.

For more information, please contact:

Laura Blank (in Bangkok)
Mobile: +1646 2452496
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or

Chris Webster (in Bangkok)
Mobile: +66 854434025
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